Born in New York City in 1880, Jacob Epstein studied at the Art Students League of New York and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris before settling in London in 1905. He became a British subject in 1910 and quickly established himself as a significant figure in the development of modern sculpture, often challenging the aesthetic conventions of his time.

Epstein is recognized for his distinctive approach to bronze portraiture, characterized by deeply textured surfaces and psychological intensity, as well as his large-scale stone carvings. His work frequently explored themes of human suffering, spirituality, and the raw physicality of the human form, moving away from the smooth, idealized surfaces favored by his contemporaries.

His legacy remains central to the history of 20th-century British art, with his works held in major institutional collections worldwide. He is frequently cited as a foundational influence on the trajectory of modern sculpture in the United Kingdom.