The two sides are not meant to be read in terms of the back and front of the same object, but rather as the beginning and end of a story normally separated in time; the onset of desire and its ultimate fruits. It is a daring sculpture, not just in its subject matter, but also in its form and conception. Epstein is showing sexuality and creation on the same object but in such a way that they can never be seen together.

Provenance

T E Hulme; J Epstein; Mrs G E Rogers; Epstein Estate; E P Schinman; B Dannenberg; V Steele Scott; S F Butterfield; Dr M E Evans.