ADAM (final) Flashcards
(23 cards)
artist
Jacob epstein
material
derbyshire alabaster
height
7 feet
relationship to epteins genisis peice
possibly the male counterpart to his genesis peice
(PLACID FEMALE FUFILLING BIOLOGICAL PURPOSE VS DYNAMISM OF MASCULINITY)
how does it diverge from his other work
first colossal work designed to be viewed from ALL directions ( contrast to figures from BMA)
‘in no other work had i merged myself so much’
what is the pose
-stands squarely, thrusts upwards
-surges upwards from rough hewn base
-head raches back towards rthe sky
how is movement created
-pose suggests expanive movement
-right leg about to step forward
-brazenly exposed genitals seem to be on the move
anatomy
-Heavenly simplified AND body parts stylised into geometric forms (primitivism)
-Herculean proportions
-brazenly exposed genitals
effect of focus on the genitals
*Central focus of phallus - accentuates procreative ability of Adam
IS IT ABSTRACTED
not abstract, Just simplified
- so Epstein is avoiding the rise of Surrealism and abstraction present in modern British sculpture in the 1930s
ambiguity of gesture
does he gaze at the sky with pride or fear?
could suggest fear of expulsion from the garden of eden
Open hands: readiness for assertive action OR beseeching (begging forgiveness, having sinned?)
a work by Epstein that shows Adam and Eve disgraced
Epstein’s small bronze Adam and Eve (1938)
DISGRACED PAIR RECOIL IN FEAR OF GODS WRATH
evidence of truth to materials and direct carving
DIRECT CARVING
-integrity of block maintained (block conscious)
-Massively carved and simplified limbs show influence of direct carving
-simplified, lack of detail
TRUTH TO MATERIALS
-closed forms (no tensile strength on alabaster)
-lack of fine detail exposes properties of the alabaster
-polished surface reflects light and colour (AND ENHANCES MARKINGS ON STONE)
-translucency of alabaster evokes human skin
-patterns of alabaster evoke veins under surface
critical quotes
‘in no other work have i merged so much of myself’
‘i want to carve mnountains’
How does alabaster evoke skin
-translucency of alabaster evokes human skin
-patterns of alabaster evoke veins under surface
INFLUENCE OF MOGLIANNI
-spent time together in paris from 1912-13
-showed his carved african heads
-influence seen in simplification of form , primitive influence, direct carving, little detail, almond eyes
brancusi
spent time together in paris from 1912-13
influence seen in simplification of form and direct carving
influence of Eric Gill
Epstein seems to intentionally contrast his work with a corresponding work of Adam by Gill. In size, pose and energy the figures differ markedly.
influence of ancient greek art
*Maenads from classical antiquity
*Maenads are classical female figures moving in ecstasy
*Raises possibility that Adam could even be in a state of dance
nfluenfe of primitivism seen in…
*Primal simplicity, no irrelevancies
*Stylisation of body parts into almost geometric forms
*Primitive mask-like features of face
*Colossal size
*Totemic - echoes pre-Columbian sculptures or those of Easter Island in their vertical masses.
how was epstein influenced by primitivism
figures in louvre- egyptian etc
moved to london and visited british museum alot
friendship with eric gill who was also drawn to primitive sources
Epstein began collecting primitive artefacts seriously in 1912 and eventually owned the finest collection of African and Pacific art in Europe
HOw was epstein influenced by religion
Epstein himself had had an orthodox Jewish upbringing
*1930s and into the early 1940s Epstein was preoccupied by religious themes, especially images from the Old Testament
early 1930s he had re-read the book of Genesis and painted a series of unconventional watercolours on Old Testament themes
E.G GENESIS WORK
treatment of religion in work
*BUT Epstein’s treatment of these themes (infusing them with either primitivism or sensuality or both) was not conventional so he encountered accusations of blasphemy
*Uses Old Testament figures to visualise human emotional conflict and struggle
