Nativity with Midwife 1913

Curator: Eric Gill's wood engraving, "Nativity with Midwife," has a stillness that really draws you in, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, the high contrast and stylized forms really make it memorable. It's interesting to see Gill, known for his lettering, working on such a small scale, these images are only 51 x 51 mm. I wonder, what kind of tools were used to achieve this level of detail? Curator: It feels very personal, yet also iconic. The presence of the midwife adds a layer of humanity to the divine moment, don't you think? Editor: Precisely! It anchors the scene in the realities of childbirth, of labor, of the material world, which often gets glossed over in Nativity scenes. Gill was very invested in this type of labor. Curator: I find that Gill's "Nativity" invites a quiet moment of reflection. It makes you ponder the humanness in faith. Editor: Right, it's a powerful reminder that even the most sacred moments are rooted in concrete actions and social structures.