Mother and Child 1923

Editor: This is Eric Gill's "Mother and Child," a wood engraving. The stark contrast and intimate pose are really striking. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The physicality of the woodblock itself is crucial. The act of carving, the labor involved, contrasts sharply with the idealized, yet very human, depiction of motherhood. Consider how the consumption of such images reinforces societal structures. Editor: Consumption of images? That's interesting, I hadn't considered that angle. Curator: It’s about the means of production and distribution. Gill was very interested in the relationship between art, labor, and social justice. How does this image, reproduced and circulated, affect our understanding of maternal labor? Editor: I see what you mean. It complicates my initial reading quite a bit. Curator: Exactly! It’s more than just a sentimental image; it is a commentary on the means and the effects of artistic production and consumption.