Jacob Epstein’s Lucifer (1945) is influenced by Milton’s poem ‘Paradise Lost’ and is a particularly prominent piece in the Birmingham museum and art gallery due to its glaring and imposing position in the opening room of the gallery. The circular room has been split into four distinct sections each labelled at the top of the wall; ‘A green and pleasant land’, ‘Imagining the past’, ‘People and places’ and ‘Forces of nature’. In placing the sculpture in the midst of such important aspects of life, the effect it creates signifies Lucifer fall through all that is present and significant on the earth down into hell. Presenting this idea in a circular room with the light casting down from the domed ceiling only heightens the idea of heaven and hell, giving the appearance of Lucifer descending and spiralling down from the source of the light into the darkness. The use of a pedestal allows the sculpture to stand taller in the room, once again adding to the dominant and intimidating effect. This is achieved as looking up to the work makes it appear more threatening with the gaze of the sculpture passing over the head of the majority of those who view it.
The sculpture itself is made of bronze and is physically strong in appearance, from the highly defined muscular body to the fierce, menacing face. Even the wings, despite the gentle and soft nature of feathers appear muscular and powerful. In creating such a powerful piece of work Epstein is reflecting the defiant nature of Lucifer as he challenged God. Despite this strong presentation of Lucifer, there is a sense of abnormality associated with the sculpture as it was modelled on the face of a female and the body of a male, creating an ambiguous gender for such a well-known individual. The stance of the sculpture similarly reflects this ambiguity as the relaxed position of the legs depicts a feminist and passive stance, whereas the upper body is far more masculine, rigid and commanding. In doing this the artist not only allows for interpretation but similarly adds to the fear of the unknown and the fear of Lucifer as an entity.
The position of the sculpture in the gallery not only adds to the intimidating appearance that Epstein has created but equally portrays the story from which the individual of Lucifer has originated from by representing the fall through the use of the room, lighting and paintings surrounding it.
(Image supplied by BMAG- Birmingham https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blog/posts/take-part-in-museum-week-and-celebrate-70-years-of-iconic-jacob-epstein-statue-at-bmag)
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