The artwork titled “Bas Relief in the Parish Church of Lapworth, Warwickshire, England” is a 1929 sculpture by artist Eric Gill, created in the Art Deco style. This piece is a bas-relief, a form of sculpture that has less depth to the faces and figures than they would have in the round. The genre of this work is religious sculpture given its placement and thematic content.
Describing the artwork, it is evident that the bas-relief portrays a saintly or maternal figure with a nimbus around her head, indicating sacredness or holiness. She is holding a child who also appears within an enclosing nimbus, suggesting the child’s sanctity as well. The figures are depicted in a stylized manner typical of Art Deco, with smooth lines and a sense of elegant simplicity. The relief is framed within an arch, giving it a formal, reverential presence. Below the figures, there is an inscription dedicating the relief in memory of “Florence Bradshaw of Packwood Haugh who worshipped here 1895 – 1922,” indicating the piece was commissioned as a memorial for the individual mentioned. The text on the relief itself reads “MATER AMABILIS,” which translates from Latin to “Lovable Mother,” further indicating the religious and affectionate nature of the subject portrayed.
