GILL, Eric

Eric Gill wood engraving ‘Lovers-the Raised Bottom’ 1934 [Fifth State of 6]

Description

Two Unsigned proofs of the rare wood engraving ‘ Lovers the Raised Bottom ‘ printed on one sheet. On verso is text from a religious book ‘Matthew 17.5-18′ The image of the lovers are now complete. Gill has simplified the lines margins of the background to give texture and the block’ s margins have been reduced removing the two white spots which had been previously seen on the right image on earlier states. Note that the immediate background to the lovers is plain black. This proof is printed on plain machine made paper. . The same image is printed below in lighter ink. The sheet is in good condition.

Block/image size 83 x128mm [3.25 x 5 inches]

Sheet size 210 x135mm [8.25 x 5.25 inches]

Fifth state of six

It is worth noting that Gill was working on the Aldine Bible in the years 1934/ 35. One can only assume that to save paper, he used the verso of the printed proof sheet

Item details

REFERENCE: Titled ‘Lovers the Raised Bottom’  Physick 878 (Ditchling 567) 1934.  Physick states ‘ The artist personal file contained neither an impression nor a record sheet: The subject is listed by Evan R Gill in the appendix to his bibliography of Eric Gill.’ 2.5 x 4 3/8 inches.

Provenance: David Chambers Collection.