Art Funded by you

Flenite Relief

Sir Jacob Epstein, 1913

The work has two very different sides to it - recto: Woman Clasping a Phallus/ verso: Birth. The two sides are not meant to be read in terms of the back and front of the same object, but rather as the beginning and end of a story normally separated in time; the onset of desire and its ultimate fruits. It is a daring sculpture, not just in its subject matter, but also in its form and conception. Epstein is showing sexuality and creation on the same object but in such a way that they can never be seen together.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Flenite Relief, 1913

Date supported

2006

Medium and material

Serpentine stone

Dimensions

30.5 x 28 x 9 cm

Grant

23764

Total cost

137835

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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