Sir Jacob Epstein 1880 -1959

Jacob Epstein was born in New York of Polish Jewish parents. Aged about 16 attended classes at the Art Students' League and at night school. Travelled to Paris where he studied the work of Rodin and studied at the Academie Julian and Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Moved to London in 1905 and became British citizen two years later. Founder member of London Group. Exhibited at the Leicester Galleries and first one man show at the Twenty One Gallery in 1913. Knighted 1954. Many galleries, including the Tate Gallery, hold examples of his work. Retrospective exhibition at the Tate took place in 1980.