Sir Jacob Epstein: Babies and Bloomsbury

Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), pioneer of modernism and distinguished portrait sculptor, made many portraits of children throughout his career. This exhibition, curated by Gill Hedley, explores Epstein’s love of children as a subject matter by bringing together a remarkable selection of his moving bronzes and drawings of babies and children, including members of his own family.

Epstein made his first sculptures of babies as a young man in Paris, becoming even more compelled by the subject on becoming a father in 1918. He worked from a number of studios in the Bloomsbury area and, from 1916, lived in a house which overlooked the Foundling Hospital, close to his beloved British Museum - a place of inspiration for Epstein.

The artist’s life in Bloomsbury between 1914 and 1927 provided a bohemian backdrop for his work. During this time he had five children from a number of extramarital affairs. His first wife, Margaret, was unable to have children but brought up the eldest and youngest of these children. She endured her husband’s infidelities until her death in 1947, although she is alleged to have shot his long-term lover Kathleen Garman - later Lady Epstein - in the shoulder with a pearl-handled pistol.

Beyond the complexities of his domestic life, there is no doubt that as an artist Epstein loved children. Portraits of his own children, his grandchildren and those of his friends and contemporaries show how this bear-like man was entranced by his small subjects and the challenges they presented.

This exhibition features bronzes, drawings and archive photographs of the artist, his children and their mothers, and explores Epstein’s life in Bloomsbury in the shadow of the Foundling Hospital.