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.