EPSTEIN THE SCULPTOR.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19597, 8 June 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

EPSTEIN THE SCULPTOR.

J, MAKING ART PAY. WILL NOT EXPLAIN HIS WORK Jacob Epstein, whose massive sculpture of Christ, “Behold the Man,” has set the tongue of the art world wagging, Is a Jew, born in New York 55 years ago. The artist will not enter into explanations as to his work. In private v he said: “I -speak through my work. I am not a writer, but a sculptor. That should be enough.” If one seeks an interpretation of Epstein's work, and is , fortunate enough to get near the great man, he does not ask 'him, but tells him. If the opinion is right, the srtist will, agree; if it is wrong, he will -say It is wrong. But he will not explain. Does the world want his sculptures? Venus was sold for £IOOO. His first Christ, in 1920, readily brought twice " that figure. Epstein makes from £3OOO to £4OOO a year from his lure. Is In His Prime. At 55 Epstein is in his prime. His work is -showing maturity; i< developing a stronger personality, is as fresh as ever. -He lias not to look for work. He often lias to decline it. Jacob Epstein, the master, paid in his youth, when he struggled in poverty because lie would not do the conventional thing. He now reaps what he paid, with a greatly accumulated interest. 1 Art to Epstein is as lucrative as commerce to an astute business man; lie is showing that art for art’s sake has its iillle harvest. And Epstein is the only artist in the world to-day who can set the man in the -street talking about Ids work*