Mary Magdalen 1926

Eric Gill made this wood engraving titled Mary Magdalen. I imagine him carefully carving away at the block to produce these economical yet expressive lines. Look at the way the figures emerge from the dense black, a scene unfolding with a dreamlike quality. I think, "How do you get such clarity and depth with so few marks?" Gill's style reminds me of early woodcuts and printmaking, but it also has a modern sensibility. It's like he's channeling something ancient but making it new. The texture of the paper and the crispness of the lines create a tactile experience. It's more than just a picture; it's an object with a presence. In this piece, he's talking with the past, conversing with other image-makers, and finding his unique voice in the process. It's not about having all the answers but about embracing the questions and seeing where they lead.