Glyn Warren Philpot, R.A. (1884-1937)

'Above all things else, in my opinion, Mr Philpot gives us his best magic in his treatment of the mouth in any head he does, whether it is a modelled mask, a painting or a drawing: in its subtlety and psychology it baffles all our analysis - as we are baffled by a mouth drawn by Holbein' (George Sheringham, 1924, quoted in exhibition catalogue, Glyn Philpot 1884-1937: The Bronzes, London, Leighton House, 1986, n.p.).

This work is inspired by the performance Philpot saw of Nijinsky in 1913. The model is George Bridgman, who was one of Philpot's popular models. The original was was given to the 28th Earl of Crawford, 11th Earl of Balcarres by Daisy Philpot after her brother's death. The plaster cast of the work remains with the artist's family.