The artwork titled “Eve,” created by Eric Gill in 1929, is an engraving representative of the Art Deco movement. This religious and nude painting measures 11.7 x 23.5 cm.
The artwork depicts a stylized, silhouetted figure of a nude woman, emblematic of the biblical character Eve, rendered in a striking black-and-white contrast. Her body is elongated and composed of bold, flowing lines, typical of the Art Deco aesthetic. The figural form against a backdrop of simplified, organic shapes such as the outlines of trees and leaves adds to the composition’s elegance. A serpent, symbolizing temptation, curves around the woman’s legs, coiling into the right side of the frame, which subtly alludes to the narrative of the Fall from the Book of Genesis. The linearity and minimalism of the piece highlight the contours and movement within the artwork, exemplifying Gill’s mastery in engraving.
