Portrait of Albert Einstein

John Philipp was well-known for his portraits of key personalities including Rodin and the German Prince Regent. Family anecdote records that Einstein’s sitting in 1929 took place at Philipp’s own request, after he visited the physicist in Berlin, sending up his portfolio by way of introduction. Einstein’s letter shows his admiration for the resulting portrait.

Einstein fled Germany in 1933, lecturing in Oxford and Glasgow in June, and meeting Winston Churchill. In September, Einstein spent three weeks in Norfolk, at the invitation of Oliver Locker-Lampson MP, protected by two armed women secretaries. During this period, Jacob Epstein modelled his bust of Einstein, noting how he ‘resembled the ageing Rembrandt’. In October, before leaving for America, Einstein gave a speech in the Royal Albert Hall, attended by a crowd of 10,000, praising democracy and warning of the dangers ahead.