Eric Gill, Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews from The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ – 1988 facsimile

Eric Gill Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews from The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ

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View the full Collection: Gill, Eric (1882–1940)

An original 1988 lithograph print – Eric Gill, Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews from The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This striking work is a facsimile folio from The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ illustrated by Eric Gill (1882–1940). The folio is folded, creating two leaves / four pages, with Gill's full page illustration 'Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews' on the first page, and text to the other three.

The original edition, comprising the first four books of the New Testament accompanied by 65 illustrations by Gill, was published by the Golden Cockerel Press in 1931. It is seen as one of the finest books to be produced by the press, exhibiting the ideals of the private press movement, and was published in a run of 500.

This sheet is a later facsimile, likely the 1988 September Press, Wellingborough edition. That reproduction was produced using photo-lithography in run of 600 copies. The publisher was careful to note: 'This book is a reproduction version of The Four Gospels published in 1931. I call it a reproduction version rather than a facsimile because that is what it is, a copy produced by photo-lithography with no attempt to simulate the paper or binding of the original. From the outset, the spirit of the book was what I was aiming at. The original is a marvelous book .. .and rightly regarded as one of the glories of modern book-making .... If a reproduction could demonstrate something of the excitement, simplicity and ingenuity of the original, I would be well pleased.'

Eric Gill (1882–1940)

Eric Gill (1882–1940) was born in Brighton. He trained initially as an architect under W. D. Caröe in London but soon shifted toward lettering, calligraphy, and stone carving, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement.

Gill established himself as a skilled stone carver and sculptor, producing both religious and secular works. Among his most notable sculptures are Prospero and Ariel (1932) outside Broadcasting House, and relief carvings for public buildings, including Palace of Westminster.

He also became one of the most important typographic designers of the 20th century. His typefaces—especially Gill Sans (1928) and Perpetua—were developed during his association with the Monotype Corporation. Gill Sans, in particular, became iconic and has been widely used in British signage, including by the BBC and railway systems.

Gill was also involved with the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic, a Catholic craft community in Ditchling, reflecting his deep religious convictions, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1913. He later moved to Capel-y-ffin in Wales, and during this time became the chief engraver and illustrator for the Golden Cockerel Press. Several of the resulting books, including The Song of Songs (1925), Troilus and Criseyde (1927), The Canterbury Tales (1928), and The Four Gospels (1931) are considered classics of specialist book production.

After the posthumous publication of his private diaries in the 1980s, the revelation of Gill's abuse towards family members has led to ongoing debate about how to interpret and present his work.