Border: Our Lord on Tree 1927

Editor: This is Eric Gill's "Border: Our Lord on Tree," a small print housed at the Tate. The stark lines and stylized figures give it a somber, almost mournful quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how Gill merges the religious and the natural, isn't it? Consider the historical context: Gill was deeply religious and also a socialist. How might his beliefs challenge the established power structures of his time? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. So, you’re saying the tree isn’t just a symbol of life, but also perhaps a symbol of resistance? Curator: Exactly. And who is this other figure, kneeling at the base? How does that add to the meaning? It makes you consider the social implications, doesn't it? Editor: It does. Seeing it as a challenge to power makes it much more powerful. Curator: It certainly offers a lens through which to see the artwork's deeper message.