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What was Eric Gill famous for?

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What was Eric Gill famous for?
Eric Gill was famous for his work as an artist. He was an English sculptor, typeface designer and printmaker. After attempting to become an architect, Gill began direct carving of stone figures, the semi-abstract works taking their influence from medieval statuary, mixed with influences from classical statuary from the Greeks and Romans, with a little Post-Impressionism added in. Gill was offered major commissions from Westminster Cathedral for its Stations of the Cross (1914); a series of war memorials; three of the sculptures for Charles Holden's 1928 headquarters of London Underground; and a series of sculptures for the 1932 Broadcasting House. He was at the same time engaged in typographical work. Gill had collaborated with Edward Johnson on the latter's initial thoughts on his London Transport typeface, but in 1925, Gill designed Perpetua on his own and Gill Sans between 1927 and 1930. For the Golden Cockerel Press, he created, in 1929, a bolder typeface to complement wood engravings. Gill also published decorated books. His 1929 Canterbury Tales is an epic work with a whole series of beautiful wood engravings. Explore a collection of Eric Gill art on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
Shop for Eric Gill Art on 1stDibs
Eric Gill "Hawaiian Drummer" Original Airbrush Painting C.1930s
By Eric Gill
Located in San Francisco, CA
Eric Gill "Hawaiian Drummer" Original Airbrush Painting C.1930s Small but mighty airbrush. Classic 1930s Hawaiian painting by Eric Gill. Dimension...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

'Naked Girl in Spray, Head Thrown Back' — 1930s Modernist Female Nude
By Eric Gill
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Eric Gill, 'Naked Girl in Spray, Head Thrown Back to Left, Four Leaves' and 'Naked Girl in Spray, Head Upright, Hands Over Head', wood engraving, 1930, edit...
Category

1930s Art Deco Nude Prints

Materials

Woodcut

The Carrying of the Cross
By Eric Gill
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: wood engraving. Printed in 1929 and published by Douglas Cleverdon. Image size: 4 1/4 x 4 3/8 inches (110 x 112 mm). Not signed.
Category

1920s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Woodcut

Naked Young Man Sitting On Lopped Branch; Naked Young Woman Sitting on a Branch.
By Eric Gill
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Wood engraving, 1930, edition small, Physick 642 / 643. Initialed in pencil. Two blocks printed on a single sheet: fine impressions on cream laid Japan with full margins (1 1/2 to 2...
Category

1930s Art Deco Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Eric Gill 1934 Woodblock Print 'From the Books of Philip Hofer' 'Ex Libris' Lion
By Eric Gill
Located in London, GB
From a series of wood engravings by Eric Gill. To see them or our other Modern British Art, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - ...
Category

1930s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Eric Gill 1934 Woodblock Print Canterbury Tales The Doctor's Tale, Initial H
By Eric Gill
Located in London, GB
From a series of wood engravings by Eric Gill. To see them or our other Modern British Art, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the artist you want. Initial Letter 'H' for The Canterbury Tales (1929) - The Doctor's Tale Woodblock Print Published Hague & Gill 1934 in an unnumbered edition of 300 23x21cm Following Chichester Technical and Art School, Gill moved to London in 1900 to train with the ecclesiastical architects W D Caroe. Finding architecture somewhat pedestrian he took stonemasonry lessons at Westminster Technical Institute and calligraphy lessons at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, coming under the influence of Edward Johnson, the designer of the London Underground's own typeface. In 1903 he ceased his attempts to become an architect, instead becoming a monumental mason, letter-cutter and calligrapher. Based in Ditchling, he began direct carving of stone figures, the semi-abstract figures taking their influence from mediaeval statuary, mixed with influences from Classical statuary from the Greeks and Romans, with a little post-Impressionism added in. With major commissions from Westminster Cathedral for its Stations of the Cross (1914), a series of War Memorials including the Grade II* memorial in Trumpington, and three of the sculptures for Charles Holden's 1928 headquarters of London Underground at 55 Broadway, St James's, and a series of sculptures for the new 1932 Broadcasting House. The list continues. Never one to rest on his laurels, he was at the same time engaged in typographical adventures. He had collaborated with Edward Johnson on the latter's initial thoughts on his London Transport typeface, but in 1925 designed Perpetua on his own, and Gill Sans between 1927-30. For the Golden Cockerel Press he created, in 1929, a bolder typeface to complement wood engravings. And of course Gill was publishing decorated...
Category

1930s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

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