John Taylor Arms
Basilica of Madeleine, Vezelay
1929

Name: Basilica of Madeleine, Vezelay
Brand: John Taylor Arms
Price: 750 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Basilica of Madeleine, Vezelay Etching, 1929 Signed and dated lower right (see photo) Annotated: "Third State" lower left Printed on a sheet of old book paper From: French Church Series No. 28 Condition: Excellent Brilliant impression with strong contrasts small margins old hinges at top corners Image size: 12 3/4 x 7 3/8 inches Sheet size: 13 11/16 x 8 13/16 inches Reference: Fletcher 223 iii Arms, Churches of France, No. 28 John Taylor Arms (1887-1953) One of the more famous printmakers of the early 20th century, John Taylor Arms was known for his medieval architectural etchings that combined precise realism with a sense of soaring spirituality. He believed that Gothic architecture was man's greatest achievement, uniting spiritual and aesthetic values, and was best known for his renderings of gargoyles and European churches. He was remarkably prolific, considering that he worked slowly and deliberately and spent much time traveling, writing, and lecturing. He was born in Washington D.C., and studied law at Princeton University and then transferred to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study architecture, earning a masters degree in 1912. For five years after his graduation, he worked for Carrere and Hastings, an architectural firm and then became a partner in another firm named Clark and Adams. In 1913, he made his first etching and by 1927 began exhibiting his architectural etchings at the National Arts Club and the Salmagundi Club in New York. He also worked in aquatint and often combined the two mediums. In addition to medieval architecture, he etched scenes of Maine and a series of American cities. He was a member of principal art organizations including the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and he wrote several books on prints and printmaking including Handbook on Printmaking and Printmakers. Courtesy: AskArt Source: Matthew Baigell, Dictionary of American Art John Taylor Arms (1887-1953), the dean of American etchers in the first half of the 1900s, trained as an architect at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He experimented with etching and became a full-time printmaker following service in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He etched most of the great European Gothic cathedrals. His strong linear style and evocative use of light and shadow speak to his architectural training and interests. Arms participated actively in numerous print societies and championed the medium as well as the work of younger artists. He exhibited with group shows and on his own, and he was widely respected as both artist and mentor. Courtesy: “History Wired,” Smithsonian Institution

Creator:

John Taylor Arms (1887 - 1953, American)

Creation Year:

1929

Dimensions:

Height: 12.75 in (32.39 cm)Width: 7.38 in (18.75 cm)

Medium:

Etching

Movement & Style:

American Realist

Period:

1920-1929