Jerusalem Museum to Get 200 Original Plaster Casts by Sir Jacob Epstein

Two hundred original plaster casts by the late Sir Jacob Epstein, the world renowned sculptor–almost his entire lifework–will be presented as a gift to the new Jerusalem Museum of Art, which is known in Israel as the Bezalel Museum, it was announced here today by Lady Epstein, his widow. The announcement was made at the 15th International Art Festival, at which Sir Jacob’s work is being exhibited.

The Epstein plaster casts, among which there are pieces depicting the life of Christ which caused international controversy when first exhibited, will be placed in a special Epstein Pavilion for which the America-Israel Cultural Foundation in New York will raise $420, 000. “My heart tells me that Sir Jacob would have wanted it,” said Lady Epstein.” I am very happy indeed that his works are going to the young State of Israel, where I know they will be understood and appreciated.”

The decision to present her husband’s works to the museum in Jerusalem was reached by Lady Epstein two months ago during a luncheon she had with Billy Rose, chairman of the art committee of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation. Mr. Rose related here today how this happened. “I simply said to her: “If Sir Jacob were here now, what do you think he would have liked done with his casts? To give them to Israel. To which Lady Epstein replied affirmatively without hesitation. That was that, and we started to make arrangements with the Israel Government.”

The museum, Mr. Rose said, currently under construction on a 40-acre hill in Jerusalem, will comprise a complex of buildings to cost more than $5, 000, 000, “more than half of which has already been contributed.” There will be 48 galleries in the new museum, built of stone and glass, and a nine-acre garden designed by the famous Japanese architect, Isamu Noguchi, who designed the UNESCO Gardens in Paris.