- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Da Capo Press; illustrated edition edition (July 1 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0786710004
- ISBN-13: 978-0786710003
- Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 16.6 x 3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 640 g
- Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
Like many artists, the sculptor Jacob Epstein (1880-1959) was a potpourri of contradictions. Born in America, he lived most of his adult life in England. He was reviled in the popular press for his controversial early work (such as the debauched angel created to adorn the Paris tomb of Oscar Wilde), but he was knighted in 1954, near the end of his life. Finally, though he was born and raised Jewish, he created some of the most powerful Christian imagery of the 20th century. The author of a number of biographies, including one on Epstein's contemporary and friend Amedeo Modigliani (Modigliani: The Pure Bohemian), Rose has compiled a solid and often compelling work that strikes an excellent balance between the artist's work and his tempestuous and confusing personal life (a truly bohemian stew of wives, mistresses, models, children, and dogs). Though Epstein had created portraits throughout his career, in his later years he became the sculptor of choice for many of the world's most famous names. Among those who sat for him at the height of his popularity were writers T.S. Eliot and W. Somerset Maugham, Winston Churchill, India's Prime Minister Nehru, and the actress Gina Lollobrigida. Rose provides insightful commentary on the relationships between Epstein and his varied clients. Highly recommended for larger collections of 20th-century art. Martin R. Kalfatovic, Smithsonian Institution Libs., Washington, DC
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Although American-born Epstein was a brilliant and much sought-after portraitist, creating dramatic busts of luminaries such as Joseph Conrad and Albert Einstein, his radical stone sculptures of "angelic and demonic forces" were so controversial in England, his adopted home, that he "attracted more insults and brutal attacks" than any of his contemporaries. Yet, in spite of continual front-page outrage driven by prudery--Epstein's work embodied his fascination with sex and procreation--and anti-Semitism, Epstein was nearly forgotten after his death in 1959 at age 79. Rose, a gracious and compelling biographer who has also written about Modigliani and Suzanne Valadon, remedies that neglect with an astute chronicle of Epstein's multifaceted life and accomplishments. As spiritual as he was carnal, as influenced by Whitman and African art as by the Bible, Epstein, always short on funds but rich in the love of remarkable women, realized his artistic dreams only to see his masterpieces defaced and displayed as sideshow attractions. But, as Rose reveals, adversity fueled his creative fire, and Epstein will be remembered as the gifted visionary he truly was. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
dismay,
By jane babson (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Demons and Angels: A Life Of Jacob Epstein (Hardcover)
This book repeats without permission without proper attribution of original material found in my book THE EPSTEINS A FAMILY ALBUM published in London in 1984
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Bitter Disappointment,
By Stephen Grey (Burlington, VT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Demons and Angels: A Life Of Jacob Epstein (Hardcover)
I had high expectations for this book on master sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein as it was coming from the author of one of my favourite books, a biography of artist Suzanne Valadon. Sadly, it is a great disappointment. It seems a very sketchy biography at best, covering ground that has been previously explored by former Epstein biographers and presenting no new discoveries of its own. There are also major flaws in showing Epstein's humourous side such as his bizarre encounter with the eccentric Marchesa Casati. Casati is not mentioned at all, even though her bust is one of Epstein's masterpieces. Also, author June Rose completely leaves out any mention of the scandal that followed Epstein's death when castings were made of many of the artist's best works and sold as Epstein originals. Additionally, the illustrations are a badly selected lot, with not even a single photograph of the sculptor's spectacular tomb for Oscar Wilde in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. For the definitive biography of Epstein please read Stephen Gardiner's "Epstein: Artist Against the Establishment" or Epstein's own wonderful autobiography "Let There Be Sculpture". After such excellent work as the aforementioned biography of Valadon and her volume on Modigliani, I sincerely hope that Ms. Rose's next book returns her to the top of her form.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
1.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Bitter Disappointment,
By Stephen Grey - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Demons and Angels: A Life Of Jacob Epstein (Hardcover)
I had high expectations for this book on master sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein as it was coming from the author of one of my favourite books, a biography of artist Suzanne Valadon. Sadly, it is a great disappointment. It seems a very sketchy biography at best, covering ground that has been previously explored by former Epstein biographers and presenting no new discoveries of its own. There are also major flaws in showing Epstein's humourous side such as his bizarre encounter with the eccentric Marchesa Casati. Casati is not mentioned at all, even though her bust is one of Epstein's masterpieces. Also, author June Rose completely leaves out any mention of the scandal that followed Epstein's death when castings were made of many of the artist's best works and sold as Epstein originals. Additionally, the illustrations are a badly selected lot, with not even a single photograph of the sculptor's spectacular tomb for Oscar Wilde in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. For the definitive biography of Epstein please read Stephen Gardiner's "Epstein: Artist Against the Establishment" or Epstein's own wonderful autobiography "Let There Be Sculpture". After such excellent work as the aforementioned biography of Valadon and her volume on Modigliani, I sincerely hope that Ms. Rose's next book returns her to the top of her form.
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
dismay,
By jane babson - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Demons and Angels: A Life Of Jacob Epstein (Hardcover)
This book repeats without permission without proper attribution of original material found in my book THE EPSTEINS A FAMILY ALBUM published in London in 1984
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