Sculpture for Broadcasting House, London 

This sculpture was made by Eric Gill for Broadcasting House in London. Gill was first and foremost a letter cutter, and here, we see him applying those skills at monumental scale. He has carved this relief in a pale, even-toned stone, likely Portland, a material often used for large-scale public commissions. Gill specialized in this kind of work, though also took on more avant-garde projects in the 1930s. Note how Gill’s graphic sensibility comes through in the crisp edges and flat planes that define the composition. The angels are treated almost as if they were stylized fonts. The texture of the stone itself has been carefully worked to produce this effect. The act of carving has imbued the sculpture with a sense of permanence and authority, reflecting both the values of the BBC and the cultural weight that was historically given to stone carving. Considering the materials, making, and context helps us to understand the meaning of this artwork, and challenges any traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.