Portrait of Iris Beerbohm Tree 1915

Jacob Epstein's 1915 bronze sculpture, "Portrait of Iris Beerbohm Tree," depicts the subject with closed eyes and a serene expression, wearing a golden helmet. This work, created during the artist's early career, showcases Epstein's distinctive style, characterized by a powerful and often unsettling realism. The use of contrasting materials, the smooth gold of the helmet against the rough texture of the bronze bust, creates a dynamic tension that draws the viewer's attention to the subject's enigmatic gaze.