"Jacob Epstein, Sculptor," by
Richard Buckle, published by
World, is such an immense
work, it so elaborately reviews
and analyzes the works of the
great artist, that the volume
($25) may well be considered
one of the most important ever
to be produced in the world
of art.
Describing the Epstein story
chronologically, taking into ac-
count the man's achievements
as a sculptor, as a painter, as
a delineator of great person-
alities, this work stands out
specifically for its completeness
them, and that the second Com-
very comfortably in a pull-
mandment was framed to curb
over with his wild hair float-
their visual and tactile ex-
ing in the wind. His glance
cesses."
contained a mixture of the
Describing Epstein the hu- humane, the humorous and
the profound. This was a
manist. Buckle asserts about his
combination that delighted
work: "When we look at the
me. He resembled the aging
fact of the old praying Jew, lit
by candles from below, and at Rembrandt .. .
" 'I worked for two hours
the gnarled hands of the plead-
every morning, and at the
ing mother, we think of Rem-
first sitting the Professor was
brandt and Van Gogh,"
so surrounded with tobacco
From New York, the story
takes us to "Study in Paris, smoke from his pipe that I
saw nothing. At the second
1902-05." and here we find the
sitting I asked him to smoke
beginnings of his great sculp-
in the interval.
tural works. This is followed
" 'Einstein watched my
by "Early Years in London
1905-07," with reproductions of work with a kind of naive
wonder, and seemed to sense
works of that period.
"Strand Statues 1907-08," that I was doing something
"Portraits and a Tomb 1908- good of him . . . but, as so
12," - The V o r t ex 1913-15," often happens, the work had
Maturity 1916-1920," are the to be stopped before I had
carried it to completion.'
chapter that follow—the latter
"Not only did the illustri-
containing photos of masks of
ous model resemble Rem-
Mrs. Epstein and details of his
brandt: in none of his works
"Risen Christ," in addition to
was Epstein more Rembrandt-
self-portraits and scores of oth-
esque."
er notable works.
"Children, Warriors and
"Works Sacred and Profane
1920-29" include some of his Nudes 1940-49," "Late Harvest
controversial subjects. In this of Commissions 1950-57" and
section is the bust of Dr. "Postscript 1959-1963" take us
Adolph S. Oko, the creator of to other spheres. introduce us
the Hebrew Union College to many more great personal-
Library in Cincinnati, who ities, (Lord Samuel, Lady Mel-
became a close friend of chett, Prof e s s or Brodetsky,
Jacob Epstein. Joseph Con- Sholem Asch, Bertrand Russell,
rad, C. P. Scott, Rabbindra- Field Marshal Smuts, Dr. Otto
nath Tagore Ramsay Mac- Klemperer, Lloyd George, Som-
donald, Prof. Frank Boaz, erest Maugham, Mark Joffe, T.
Prof. John Dewey, Paul Robe- S. Eliot, Ernest Bloch, Pandit
son, are among the other Nehru, Anna. Frankel, Yehudi
great personalities appearing M e n u h i n, and many, many
in this chapter in impressive others).
Here is the head of Christ,
illustrative reproductions.
In "Men and Gods 1930-39" one of his controversial works,
are many of his other famous his "St. Michael and the Devil"
work s, including "Genesis." and other outstanding creations.
The appended Catalogue Rain-
Here we also are treated to
photos of some of the Jewish sonne, the list of illustrations
notables sculptured by Epstein, and the thorough index also will
prove helpful to the reader and
to the art student.
In "Jacob Epstein, Sculptor,"
we are treated to a veritable
treasure. Richard Buckle has
created a great work with his
recapitulation of the artistry
of the genius depicted in his
impressive book.
P.S.
-
SIR JACOB EPSTEIN
in every detail. Of the 514
known Epstein works, 446 are
reproduced here. Every picture
in the book accompanies the
text that refers to it.
During his student days in
Paris, Epstein was fascinated
by Jewish characters, and his
reproduced works indicate it
clearly. The great men whose
busts he had made—Chaim
Weizmann, Albert Einstein
and others—become part of
the story so well told by
Buckle.
Undertaken at the request of
the sculptor's widow, Lady Ep-
stein, Buckle used, in the main,
the facts supplied by her for
his book which he describes as
being "not a biography, though
as much of Epstein's life as is
relevant to his sculpture is in-
cluded; nor is it a critical as-
sessment of Epstein's position
in the history of sculpture,
though an attempt has been
made from time to time to place
him in relation to other sculp-
tors; it is something both more
modest and, I hope, more use-
ful—a pictorial record of the
sculptor's work, with note on
individual pieces and on
changes in his style. It is a
chronicle."
Born in Manhattan in 1880,
the Epstein story commences
with his youth in America, 1880-
1902, and describes the family
background, refers to the Jew-
ish migrations and to the flight
of oppressed East European
Jews to the United States.
Appropriately, the illustra-
tion featuring the introduc-
tion of this chapter of Ep-
stein's life is his "Going to
the Synagogue," and on fol-
lowing pages appear his "Fri-
day Night Prayer," "Morn-
ing Prayer" and East Side
scenes. Buckle points out that
his early interests did not
mean that he confined him-
self to Jews only but that
"from early days he felt a
fascination for people of
varied race and facial struc-
t ure ... "
Explaining how the life of a
young Jewish intellectual was
evoked in New York at the be-
ginning of the century, Buckle
makes the interesting comment
that "it is conceivable — it is
a theory Epstein used to discuss
with his second wife—that the
pre-Mosaic Jews were particular-
ly addicted to sculpture, that it
became an unholy passion with
U.S. Experts Laud Histadrut Technical
Assistance to Emerging African Countries
HARRIMAN, N.Y., (JTA) —
Experts from United States Gov-
ernment and non-government
agencies participating in the
three-day conference on "The
Free World and the New Na-
tions" at Arden House, Colum-
bia University's discussion cen-
ter, asserted that Histadrut, the
Israel labor federation, was ren-
dering a signal service to demo-
cratic advancement of the
emerging African states through
its technical aid program.
The conference, attended by
60 representatives of govern-
ment, labor, cooperatives and
leaders of Negro and Jewish
organizations and foreign af-
fairs experts, was sponsored by
the National Committee for La-
bor Israel.
Eliahu Elath, president of
the Hebrew University in Jeru-
salem, who opened the confer-
ence in his capacity as chair-
man of Histadrut's Afro-Asian
Institute for Labor Studies in
Tel Aviv, said that the educa-
tion of manpower for building
the emerging countries of Af-
rica was a matter of utmost
urgency. He stated that 3,000
Asians and Africans have come
to study in Israel while about
1,000 Israeli experts and tech-
nicians have gone to Asian and
African countries to assist in
developing basic projects and
train manpower.
Yitzhak Ben-Aharon, a mem-
ber of the Histadrut executive
committee, outlined a series of
steps by which Israel organ-
izes assistance to Africa, start-
ing with a survey by experts
made on the scene for the
evaluation of local resources.
The Israeli experts and local
personnel settle in the areas
and work on the experimental
project. Another part of the
plan, the speedy training of
manpower for projects, is car-
ried out in Israel.
Another approach, he said,
was the creation of joint en-
terprises by Israeli firms and
their counterparts in the Asian
and African countries which, in
due course, is handled by local
manpower and management. By
this means, Ben-Aharon de-
clared, "we have managed to
speed up training programs and
provide for the African states
in their sturggles for libera-
tion."
Prof. Ben Halpern of Bran-
deis University said that Is-
rael's liberation was due to the
efforts of Jews throughout the
Diaspora while African liber-
ators had no such relation to
the American Negro.
The conference was directed
by Dr. Judd Teller, educational
director of the National Com-
mittee for Labor Israel.
Sinai Hospital
to Dedicate Frank
Medical Library
The Samuel Frank Medical
Library will be dedicated 2:45
p.m. Sunday at Sinai Hospital.
The library was made pos-
sible by a gift from Samuel
Frank and the Frank family
and a matching federal grant.
A reception will follow the cere-
mony. Attendance is by invita-
tion only.
Maxwell Garret has started
his 20th year as fencing coach
at the University of Illinois. He
is on the U.S. Fencing Com-
mittee for the 1964 Olympics.
Music the Stein-Way
DICK STEIN,
& ORCHESTRA
LI 7-2770
HoPPV
Chanukah!
From All of Us
at
PRINCETON
—
gounclations
Jewish Folk Chorus
Plans Dinner, Concert
JACOB EPSTEIN'S BRONZE
OF SHOLEM ASCII
The Jewish Folk Chorus an-
nounces plans for its annual
New Year's banquet and a mid-
winter concert.
The banquet will include a
seven-course dinner, a four-
-piece dance ensemble and party
favors. Reservations may be
made by calling Rose Baron,
341-9231, or Regina Litt.
The annual mid-winter con-
cert will be given 8 p.m. Jan-
uary 12 at the Communitty Arts
Auditorium, Wayne State Uni-
versity. The program will in-
c l u d e "Lincoln's Gettysburg
Address," "Fun Vigleid biz
Zigleid"; and a program of
Yiddish, English and Hebrew
folksongs by the Youth Chorus
Cantor Orbach will be a guest
artist.
Tickets for the concert are
available through all chorus
members, or call 341-9231.
including Einstein, and Weiz-
mann; as well as Shaw, Mac-
donald, Haile Selassie and oth-
ers; and reproductions of "Ep-
stein with the `Ecco Homo' ,"
"Burial of Abel," and other fa-
mous creations.
Describing the work of Dr.
Weizmann, made in 1933, Buck-
le states that Epstein "made a
powerful bust whose scooped-
out eye-sockets seem to hold
more than mundane vision."
And of the impressionistic bust
of Einstein Buckle states that
Epstein "made a head which Merry Melody Nursery
was little more than a mask, Plans Holiday Parties
though it proved one of his most
The Merry Melody Nursery
extraordinary portraits."
invites parents of pre-schoolers
The following interesting ac-
count is given by Buckle of the attending the nursery to attend
holiday parties at the regular
making of the Einstein portrait:
sessions on Monday and Tues-
"Einstein had left Nazi Ger- day.
many, fearing assassination,
The children will present a
and come to England, where
program
of songs, dances and
Commander Oliver Locker-
Lampson provided him with a rhythm band. Parents will be
retreat in a camp near Crom- served coffee and dessert. For
er. Einstein was sent for to information, call. Mrs. David
make a portrait of him. From Holtzman, director, LI 3-4688.
Cromer the sculptor (quoting
Epstein) 'was driven out to
the camp situated in a se-
eluded and wild spot very
near the sea.'
"Einstein appeared dressed
Aesculapian Election
by
Where all the needs
of young men 6 to 60
can be found.
%Itit
Corsets-Brassieres
Expertly Fitted
Seven Mile at Evergreen
20127 W. 7 MILE RD.
53_8-5575
KE 3-43 1 0
Parking in Rear
0
INER
BERNARD H.
Candid Photography
KE 1-8196
Bar Mitzvahs — Weddings
ASK ABOUT OUR COMBINATION SPECIAL
Motion Pictures
B
LI 2-7874
•
HOWARD H.
TRIEsT
For Holiday Entertaining
For Holiday Giving
CANDIES
MAIN STORE and CANDY KITCHEN
15430 WEST 7 MILE RD. at Greenfield
OPEN TILL 9,
THURS.,
A
to,
e-1
FRI., SAT.; SUN. 11-6
OTHER RICCELI SHOPS:
DIME BUILDING • NORTHLAND MEDICAL BUILDING
DEMERY'S, DETROIT • DEMERY'S, BIRMINGHAM
The Aesculapian Pharmaceu•i-
ALSO AVAILABLE AT
cal Association will elect officers
SINAI HOSPITAL AND THE HENRY FORD HOSPITAL
8:30 p.m. Monday at the Jewish
Home for Aged.
AK:40'X :g*X.>:+21-1K4EK:ig*X
X.*:?,11.;+WaiZ..75:4 ■ 1<:4*::::::4C<>W:,:g*ki
29-TH E DETR OIT JEWISH NEWS—Frid ay, Decemb er 13, 1963
Jacob Epstein's Genius Depicted i n
Impressive Volume by Richard Buckle