Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959)

This is the fifth cast in an edition of eight bronzes done by the artist.  Epstein studied with Rodin in Paris and later worked chiefly in England. In revolt against the existing ornate idiom of the time, Epstein produced bold, often harsh and massive forms in stone or bronze that were the subjects of frequent controversy. Some of his best-known works are bronze portraits executed with roughly textured surfaces. His perceptive portraits include those of the Duke of Marlborough, Joseph Conrad, Albert Einstein, and Rabindranath Tagore.

The subject of this bronze portrait is Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister and the architect of modern India.  Nehru was educated in India and at Cambridge, working as barrister before moving into politics.  After establishing himself as a nationalist and building a close relationship with Gandhi, Nehru served as the head of the Indian National Congress and as a leader of the Indian Independence Movement.  When India gained Independence on August 15, 1947, Nehru became the country's first Prime Minister and served until his death on May 27, 1964.