Paul Robeson

In 1927, after a twenty-five-year absence, Epstein visited America, where he met Paul Robeson (1898–1976), the African-American singer and actor. During his brief stay in New York, Epstein sculpted Robeson while he sang lullabies to the artist's daughter Peggy Jean. Though Epstein felt the portrait was never really finished, he created a "splendid head," with expressive eyes raised heavenward.