The artwork titled “Bookplate” was created by artist Eric Gill in 1926. It belongs to the Art Deco movement and is classified as an illustration. This piece serves as a bookplate, which is a label affixed inside a book to indicate ownership.
The illustration depicts a stylized figure of a woman with her eyes closed, embracing a round object that bears the text “EX-LIBRIS Mary Gill T·O·S·D.” The design is simple and elegant, with a clear influence of Art Deco in the stylization and the fluid lines that form the figure and the drapery. The limited use of detail directs attention to the round emblem the figure is holding, which stands out as the central element of the composition. The use of text within the visual field merges typography with the pictorial elements, which is a common feature in bookplate designs. The cross at the top suggests a religious or spiritual significance, and the initials “T·O·S·D” could possibly refer to a religious order or an abbreviation of a personal motto or phrase associated with Mary Gill.
