Sir Jacob Epstein, Portrait of Iris Beerbohm Tree, 1915 “Iris Beerbohm Tree (1897–1968) was a poet and actress who posed for many artists including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Here Epstein exploits the qualities of bronze by combining a rough patina with a high polish. In contrast to the rough texture of the face and neck, the sculpture’s ‘helmet hair’ has a highly polished, burnished surface. This not only suggests Tree’s strawberry blonde hair but also the modernity of her severely cut bob.”

Sir Jacob Epstein, Portrait of Iris Beerbohm Tree, 1915

“Iris Beerbohm Tree (1897–1968) was a poet and actress who posed for many artists including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Here Epstein exploits the qualities of bronze by combining a rough patina with a high polish. In contrast to the rough texture of the face and neck, the sculpture’s ‘helmet hair’ has a highly polished, burnished surface. This not only suggests Tree’s strawberry blonde hair but also the modernity of her severely cut bob.”