The Triumph of St Perpetua 1928

Curator: Eric Gill's wood engraving, "The Triumph of St Perpetua," presents us with a striking image. Editor: Indeed. The stark contrast immediately strikes me—the pale figure standing powerfully over the prostrate, dark form below. The limited palette enhances this dramatic tension. Curator: Gill, known for his religious convictions and controversial views, likely intended to depict Perpetua's spiritual victory over earthly temptations. The figure beneath her foot may represent the devil. Editor: The composition is compelling. The saint's body mimics the branches above, linking the earthly and divine through form. The hand from above, its directionality, guides the viewer's eyes. Curator: The image was produced in an era deeply embroiled in debates about faith, colonialism, and morality, and it reflects those tensions in its symbolism. Editor: Absolutely. Yet the sheer visual impact comes first—the interplay of line and form, the stark symbolism creating a powerful emotional response. Curator: Gill's work invites us to confront complex historical and social narratives woven into the very fabric of its creation. Editor: Yes, and it's the formal elements that amplify those narratives and make them so powerfully evocative.