Jacob Epstein, The Rock Drill, 1940, Plaster

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Rock drill was originally displayed at the brighton city art gallery from december 1913 to january 1914
the sculpture consists … Read more Rock drill was originally displayed at the brighton city art gallery from december 1913 to january 1914
the sculpture consists of a plaster figure perched atop an actual rock drill. This combination of an industrial machine and a carved plaster figure makes it an intriguing example of a “readymade,” created around the same time as marcel duchamp’s iconic bicycle wheel (1913).

epstein’s creation was initially a positive celebration of modern machinery and masculine virility. The nerve-like figure, straining toward a purpose, stood as a vivid illustration of life’s greatest function.

however, in 1940, epstein reinterpreted the sculpture more negatively. He described it as a machine-like robot, visored and menacing, carrying within itself its progeny. Epstein saw it as an armed, sinister figure representing the present and the future—a reflection on humanity’s self-made monstrosity.


the original sculpture was eventually dismantled: epstein sold the drill and truncated the figure. The radically transformed version, known as torso in metal from rock drill, was exhibited in 1916. Unlike the powerful and virile full-figure, this truncated version appears defenseless and melancholic, evoking the wounded soldiers returning home from the trenches during world war i. The fact that epstein lost two of his closest friends in the fighting, te hulme and henri gaudier-brzeska, played its part in epstein’s destruction of his creation. the futurist belief that war would be a cleanser was suddenly an empty promise, and epstein responded accordingly.

epstein’s work reflects the tragic story of war and represents the debilitated, damaged body of the worker-soldier. It stands as a powerful testament to the changing attitudes toward machinery and the human cost of industrialization. In terms of pop culture, the rock drill has continued to fascinate and inspire. 

the sensational alex harvey band called their last album rock drill (1977) with a moody cover photograph of the torso in metal from ‘the rock drill’, and in 2011, tate modern invited the chemical brothers to create a piece of music inspired by an object in the collection . they chose torso in metal:

sir jacob epstein kbe was an american and british sculptor who helped pioneer modern sculpture. He was born in the united states, and moved to europe in 1902, becoming a british subject in 1910. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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