Jacob Kramer 1921

Jacob Kramer (1892–1962) was a painter, originally from the Ukraine. His family left following violent anti-Jewish pogroms and settled in Leeds in 1900. Kramer attended Leeds School of Art and was based in the city throughout his career. Epstein was born in the United States, and his parents were also Jewish refugees. The two artists were close friends and modelled for each other. Epstein later wrote that Kramer ‘was a model who seemed to be on fire’ and that ‘energy seemed to leap into his hair as he sat’. Gallery label, January 2023