In Eric Gill’s printmaking the subject often became less important than the decorative value of the composition. In this engraving he has depicted the Maxwell children in an Art Deco style, which is reinforced through the use of strong bold lines. Gill was a major figure in the revival of book design and he illustrated over 130 books throughout his career. He also developed his own typefaces, 'Perpetua' and 'Gill Sans-Serif', which have become classics of 20th century typography. Gill was born in Brighton, the son of a clergyman. He studied sculpture and lettering under Edward Johnson at the Central School of Art in London. He also studied letter engraving. Gill lived at Ditchling between 1907 and 1924. He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1913 and in 1921 was influential in the formation of a religious order of artists named The Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic. Gill was a founder member of the Society of Wood Engravers and an Associate of the Royal Academy.