1993.46

Eric Gill (artist)

Limestone carving, carved and coloured in blue and sanguine depicting the Nativity designed and carved by Eric Gill, based on a designed by one of his children. This sculpture dates from the time when Gill was living on Ditchling Common in Sussex, where he pursued his desire for a self-sufficient life-style. Inspired partly by William Morris, he brought together a group of Catholic craftsmen in the belief that their work was a form of divine worship. In 1920 they founded the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic, which continued until 1989. The Latin inscription on the base of the sculpture, which was made for Gill’s children, translates as ‘The Word became flesh’ (John 1, v.14).

1920 - 1920

Arts & Crafts