†AUGUSTUS EDWIN JOHN

†AUGUSTUS EDWIN JOHN, OM, RA (1878-1961) PORTRAIT OF JACOB EPSTEIN signed, pencil, 20 x 15.5cmExecuted in 1905-6.Provenance: Mr Samuels, Liverpool; J Leger & Son, London, March 1944; acquired then or afterwards by the late grandfather of the present vendor.Illustrated: Silber (E, et al ), Jacob Epstein Sculpture and Drawings Exhibition Catalogue, Leeds City Art Galleries and Whitechapel Art Gallery London, 1987, fig 42 (as "whereabouts unknown").Exhibited: Sheffield City Art Galleries, April - May 1970, Catalogue No 36.This marvellous newly rediscovered drawing of the head of his friend by Augustus John dates from very soon after he and Epstein first became acquainted. In 1905 Epstein left Paris and settled in London where he immediately became involved with the other young Bohemian artists and their wider circle. John made two etchings of the head of Epstein in 1906/7, and another drawing only slightly larger than the present work, that was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in 1957.