A Nude Sketch of Gill’s Daughter Elizabeth 1927

Eric Gill made this nude sketch of his daughter Elizabeth using colored pencils on paper. The drawing presents a study in simplified forms and subtle color contrasts, dominated by a delicate balance of red and green lines on a neutral background. The pose is relaxed, with flowing lines defining the body. Gill's structural approach to form is evident in the economy of lines used to outline the figure and chair, creating a sense of volume and depth. The red and green lines don’t just describe but also give a sense of shadow, light and spatial relationships. In its simplification and use of line, Gill reduces the human figure to its essential elements. The chair acts as a geometric counterpart to the organic curves of the body. The sketch invites viewers to engage with the formal elements and prompts ongoing interpretation about line and form.