Charles Prestwich Scott

Sir Jacob Epstein 1880 - 1959

Summary

Portrait bust of an elderly male, depicted with a full beard and moustache, a long and narrow nose, and heavy, overhanging brows; he wears a jacket, with its surface texture described with a herringbone design, a waistcoat, shirt and tie. The mass of the body creates the impression of serving as a pedestal to the head. C.P. Scott (1846-1932) was Editor of the Manchester Guardian from 1872 to 1929, which he transformed into one of the world's greatest newspapers. He was a Liberal MP for Lancashire 1895-1906, a Governor of Manchester Grammar School and of Manchester University. To celebrate his 80th birthday in October 1926, local worthies including Lord Derby, the Bishop of Manchester and the Vice-Chancellor of the University decided that the bronze bust of Scott, which Epstein had been working on in May, should be acquired by public subscription and presented to the City.

Display Label

Market Street on a Saturday afternoon, is a sea of faces: young, old, many colours, many races. Most Manchester faces from our collection are portraits of industrialists, members of Parliament, Lord Mayors ... not many show workers or women, or represent the city's increasing cultural mix. A variety of portraits are displayed here showing people with interesting stories to tell. We have asked a contemporary artist to redress the balance, to give another view that celebrates the diversity of Manchester today.