Jacques Lipchitz, one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and a pioneer of Cubism, created cubist works inspired by Diego Rivera, Picasso and Juan Gris in Paris. Later, his baroque sculptures become more expansive and more organic. The themes of his figures and groups are often inspired by mythology and the Bible, but they are also a commentary on contemporary political developments.

Chaim Jakob Lipchitz, son of German-American parents, moved to Paris at the age of 18 to study at the École des beaux-arts and at the Académie Julian. From now on he called himself Jacques. He made the acquaintance with Georges Braque, Juan Gris and Pablo Picasso among others and from 1912 regularly exhibited in the Salon d’Automne and in the Salon National des Beaux-Arts. In 1925, after receiving the French citizenship, he moved to Boulogne-sur-Seine. In 1941 the Jewish artist managed to escape to New York thanks to the Emergency Rescue Committee. In 1946 he returned to Paris for a few months. In 1948 he became an American citizen and moved to Hastings-on-Hudson, New York in 1949.

From the 1950s, his work was honoured with numerous prizes and exhibitions. Lipchitz took part in the Venice Biennale in 1952 and twice in the documenta in Kassel (1959 and 1964). From 1962 he received numerous large public contracts. Lipchitz died in Capri in 1973 and was buried in Jerusalem.