Daughter of Jacob Epstein and Meum Lindsell-Stewart, one of Epstein's previous lovers.
‘The Ninth Portrait of Peggy Jean is one of Epstein’s most remarkable studies of children. Lying in wait to pounce and fix an expression, he has amazingly caught the moment when a child’s look of incomprehending wonder turns into laughter. The harvest of curls helps to make this head a delightful object.’
Richard Buckle, Jacob Epstein Sculptor, 1963.
Epstein had always been fond of children. In October 1918 Peggy Jean was born and he had one of his own. He was fascinated by the baby’s changing expressions and began to try to catch them in clay. Within the first three years of her life Epstein made at least fourteen.
