One of Epstein's more spiritual pieces, on Cavendish Square.
Fans of public sculpture - put 19 August in your diaries. Ben Uri Gallery are organising a day-long tour of works by Sir Jacob Epstein to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. Participants in the coach tour will witness 'Epstein's many monumental sculptures in London, see some of his great works at Tate Britain and hopefully pay a visit to his grave in Putney' before finishing at the Fleming Collection in Berkeley Street for an evening reception.
No other 20th Century sculptor made their mark on London quite like Jacob Epstein. His carvings for Zimbabwe House on the Strand caused outrage when first revealed. The series, called Ages of Man, showed a little bit more of the human form than Edwardian tastes could handle. Twenty years later, his sculptures for the London Underground HQ at 55 Broadway featured a penis in, shall we say, 'high relief', and what appears to be a blatant act of paedophilia. Intrigued, we did our own tour of his more prominent works a few years ago, and naturally made a Google map.
But back to the official tour. Epstein expert Richard Cork is guide for the day, starting at Ben Uri Gallery (108a Boundary Road, NW8) at 11.30 and reaching the Fleming Collection at 6.30. At the ensuing reception, you'll be able to examine further Epstein pieces from private collections and hear from the big man's biographer Dr Raquel Gilboa.
Jacob Epstein tour, 19 August, 11.30-6.30 + reception. Tickets cost £45 for the whole day, or £25 for the reception alone. To book a place, email suzanne [at] benuri.org.uk.
