Sir Jacob Epstein: St. Michael Defeating the Devil, Coventry Cathedral

Situated on the east wall of the new Coventry Cathedral and measuring 23ft across, this bronze statue is the work of Sir Jacob Epstein, unveiled in 1958. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Epstein often attracted controversy over his work and some members of the reconstruction committee objected to him being commissioned, with one member saying, “But he is a Jew!” The architect, Basil Spence, retorted, “So was Jesus Christ.” Epstein won the commission.

Jacob Epstein Epstein St. Michael Defeating the Devil Coventry Cathedral Coventry sculpture statue history Coventry West Midlands