Definition

Proper noun * Jacob Epstein: A British sculptor of American birth, renowned for his portrait busts and large-scale, often controversial, public sculptures. He was a key figure in modern sculpture.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The Tate Britain holds several important works by Jacob Epstein.
  • Jacob Epstein's sculpture "Genesis" caused a public outcry when it was first exhibited.
  • Scholars study Jacob Epstein for his role in introducing modernist forms to British sculpture.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used almost exclusively to refer to the historical figure and his body of work. It can be used metonymically to represent a style of bold, expressive, and often confrontational early 20th-century sculpture.
  • The building's facade has a Jacob Epstein quality to it, with its rough-hewn, powerful figures.

Variants and Related Words

• Epsteinian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of Jacob Epstein's style.
  • The artist's early work shows a distinctly Epsteinian influence.

Synonyms

• Sculptor: A general term for an artist who creates sculptures.
• Modernist: An artist who worked in the modernist tradition, though this is a broader category.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "An Epstein": A common way to refer to a sculpture created by Jacob Epstein.
  • The museum just acquired an Epstein for its modern collection.
• "Epstein's bust of...": A frequent construction used to discuss his famous portrait sculptures.
  • Epstein's bust of Einstein is considered a masterpiece of portraiture.

Noun

1. British sculptor (born in the United States) noted for busts and large controversial works (1880-1959)