Fireplace Tile c. 1936

John Dixon made this fireplace tile, and right away, I’m drawn to the limited palette of soft pinkish-purple hues. It must’ve been interesting trying to create a whole scene with a tonal scale so limited. The tile’s narrative takes place in a shallow, stage-like space—an angel freeing a figure from prison. I wonder what John was thinking about when he made this. It looks like a medieval story. How did he feel about it? Did the story have a special significance for him? Look at that figure slumped over in the corner. The line work is so delicate, capturing the weight of his body, but there’s a kind of cartoonish simplicity to it as well. I can imagine him working away at this image, his hand moving confidently across the surface, the image gradually emerging as if by magic. So interesting to think how artists are always in conversation with each other across time, inspiring new ways of seeing and making.