Jesus Falls the Second Time 1917

Curator: This is Eric Gill's wood engraving, "Jesus Falls the Second Time," part of his Stations of the Cross series, now held in the Tate collections. Editor: It feels immediately heavy, doesn’t it? The solid blocks of black ink weigh the whole scene down, mirroring Christ’s struggle. Curator: Gill's stylistic choices – the stark black and white contrast, the simplification of form – are characteristic of his engagement with both religious art and early 20th-century modernist aesthetics. The image reduces the story to its barest elements. Editor: That reduction is powerful. We’re not distracted by details; we’re forced to confront the raw emotion. The faceless figures also add to the universality of the story. Curator: Exactly. Gill was deeply interested in the social role of art, believing that artists should contribute to a more just and spiritually aware society. Editor: It really stays with you, doesn't it? Even something so small can hold so much sorrow. Curator: A testament to the enduring power of simple imagery used thoughtfully.