Portrait of Jacob Epstein

The 7 Most Famous Jacob Epstein Paintings, a Gallery Selection

Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 7 works by Jacob Epstein in our catalogue

In short

Of all the originals Jacob Epstein left, the most famous is The Rock Drill (1914), in the collection of the Tate Britain, London. Close behind it come Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia) (1931) and Ralph Vaughan Williams (1950). Our catalog holds 7 works by Jacob Epstein; the gallery has kept the 7 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.

1880 – 1959, New York City Most works: Ben Uri Gallery and Museum
The Rock Drill (1914) by Jacob Epstein1. The Rock Drill 1914 Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia) (1931) by Jacob Epstein2. Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia) 1931 Ralph Vaughan Williams (1950) by Jacob Epstein3. Ralph Vaughan Williams 1950

Jacob Epstein's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice

1
The Rock Drill (1914) by Jacob Epstein

The Rock Drill

1914 · Bronze · Tate Britain, London

Jacob Epstein's "The Rock Drill," completed in 1913-14 but dramatically reinterpreted later, isn’t merely a sculpture; it’s a visceral confrontation with the realities of industrialization and its impact on the human psyche. This imposing bronze figure, perched atop an actual rock drill – a tool of relentless extraction – immediately commands attention, forcing viewers to grapple with themes of power, alienation, and the dehumanizing forces at play in the burgeoning…

The story behind this original
2
Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia) (1931) by Jacob Epstein

Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia)

1931 · Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, London

Lydia, a jazz singer and/or dancer, was working as a waitress at Epstein’s favourite Chinese restaurant in London’s Wardour Street when they met. Epstein made three busts of her between 1929 and 1934: the first, head-and-shoulders portrait in bronze with a green patina (1929-30), in which Lydia has bobbed hair; this second, bronze head-and-shoulders portrait (1931) with short hair; and a third bronze (head only) entitled

The story behind this original
3
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1950) by Jacob Epstein

Ralph Vaughan Williams

1950 · Royal College of Music Museum, London

Bust, head only. The most significant English composer of his generation, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) studied at Cambridge and the Royal College of Music before travelling to the continent for further instructions from Max Bruch and Maurice Ravel. It was not until 1910, following a detailed study of folk music that he fully established a personal musical voice. After the First World War he joined the teaching staff of the…

The story behind this original

The museums that keep Jacob Epstein's originals

The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Jacob Epstein Paintings from this list
Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, LondonBen Uri Gallery and Museum London 5 Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia), Professor Samuel Alexander O.M., Shulamite Woman (Arab Girl)
Tate Britain, LondonTate Britain London 1 The Rock Drill
Royal College of Music Museum, LondonRoyal College of Music Museum London 1 Ralph Vaughan Williams

Jacob Epstein decade by decade: the original that defines each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Collectors' questions about Jacob Epstein's paintings

Which work is Jacob Epstein most famous for?Reveal the answer

The Rock Drill (1914), Tate Britain, London. Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia) (1931) and Ralph Vaughan Williams (1950) come next.

What age was Jacob Epstein when The Rock Drill was made?Reveal the answer

34 years old: The Rock Drill dates from 1914, and Jacob Epstein was born in 1880.

How many paintings did Jacob Epstein leave?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 7 works by Jacob Epstein, dated from 1914 to 1953.

In which museums do Jacob Epstein's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Ben Uri Gallery and Museum (London), Tate Britain (London) and Royal College of Music Museum (London). The museum table above lists them all.

In which years did Jacob Epstein paint the most famous works?Reveal the answer

In 1930s: 2 of the 7 works on this page were made then, Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia) among them.

What are the first and the last famous originals of Jacob Epstein?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is The Rock Drill (1914) and the latest Sholem Asch (1953).

Which Jacob Epstein works hang at the Ben Uri Gallery and Museum?Reveal the answer

Lydia (aka Second Portrait of Lydia), Professor Samuel Alexander O.M. and Shulamite Woman (Arab Girl): the Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, London holds 5 of the works on this page.

Jacob Epstein: life and work

Jacob Epstein: A Pioneer of Modern Sculpture

Early Life and Education

  • Born: November 10, 1880, in New York City, to Jewish immigrant parents.
  • Experienced hardship early in life, including illness and financial struggles.
  • Attended the Art Students League of New York (1893-1898), developing foundational skills.
  • Moved to Paris in 1902 to further his artistic training at the École des Beaux-Arts and Académie Julian.

Artistic Development and Influences

  • Early Influences: Initially drawn to Rodin’s expressive modeling, but quickly sought a more individual style.
  • Rejected the prevailing academic traditions of idealized beauty in favor of raw realism.
  • Inspired by diverse sources including African and primitive art, as well as ancient Greek sculpture – seeking directness and power.
  • Developed a distinctive rough-hewn style characterized by vigorous modeling and textured surfaces.

Key Characteristics of His Work

  • Realism: Epstein’s sculptures are known for their unflinching portrayal of the human form, often emphasizing physicality and emotion.
  • Portraiture: He became renowned for his bronze portrait busts, capturing the essence of his subjects with expressive detail.
  • Controversy: His work frequently challenged societal norms and provoked strong reactions due to its unconventional subject matter and style.
  • Subject Matter: Epstein sculpted a wide range of figures, from friends and acquaintances to ordinary people encountered in everyday life.

Major Achievements and Notable Works

  • The Rock Drill (1913-1915): A powerful and fragmented sculpture representing the dehumanizing effects of industrial labor – a key work demonstrating his avant-garde approach.
  • Rima (1925): A memorial to W.H. Hudson, featuring a striking female figure that sparked considerable debate.
  • Portrait Busts: Created numerous acclaimed portrait busts of prominent figures like Professor Samuel Alexander and Sholem Asch.
  • Epping Forest Watercolors: Also produced a significant body of watercolor paintings depicting the landscapes of Epping Forest, where he lived for a time.

Historical Significance and Legacy

  • Considered a pivotal figure in the development of modern British sculpture.
  • Breaking Boundaries: Challenged artistic conventions and paved the way for subsequent generations of sculptors.
  • His willingness to confront difficult subjects and embrace unconventional forms influenced artists like Henry Moore.
  • Despite facing criticism, his work gained increasing recognition during his lifetime and continues to be celebrated today.
  • Henry Moore’s Tribute: After Epstein's death in 1959, Henry Moore eloquently acknowledged his central role in shaping modern sculpture in Britain.
All 7 works by Jacob Epstein →