The artwork “Carrying of the Cross” is an engraving created by Eric Gill in 1926. It is fashioned in the Art Deco style and falls within the genre of religious painting. The piece portrays a pivotal scene from Christian narratives, where Jesus is depicted bearing the cross on which he is to be crucified.
In the image, multiple figures are presented in a stylized manner characteristic of Art Deco, with a clean and linear aesthetic. The central figure, Jesus Christ, is shown with a halo around his head, indicating his holy status. He is depicted bearing a large cross, accompanied by several onlookers and followers who demonstrate a variety of reactions to the event. Some are shown with their hands clasped, suggesting prayer or grief, while others have their gaze fixed on Jesus, possibly reflecting on the gravity of the moment.
The figures are all rendered with minimal yet expressive lines, conveying emotion as well as the physical strain of the event. The characters’ faces display a range of emotions, from sorrow to contemplation, and the sense of movement is captured through the use of diagonals and the positioning of the figures. Background elements, such as the walls and the stairs, provide a sense of place and add depth to the composition.
Overall, Eric Gill’s “Carrying of the Cross” encapsulates a solemn religious moment through a distinctive Art Deco lens, emphasizing the narrative through composition, line work, and a simplified but evocative style.
