The Church of St. Francis and the Natizone; Cividale
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Born in 1887 in Washington DC, John Taylor Arms studied at Princeton University, and ultimately earned a degree in architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1912.
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Rouen; The Cathedral of Notre Dame from the South
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on F.J. Head & Co. watermarked cream laid paper, 8 1/8 x 7 5/8 (205 x 184 mm), full margins. Signed and dated in pencil, lower margin. Illustrated in Dorothy Noyes Arms, Chur...
Laid Paper, Etching
The Crown of Normandy
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on Japon paper, 13 1/4 x 6 3/4 inches (337 x 171 mm); sheet 16 1/8 x 8 3/4 inches (410 x 222 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "second state" in pencil in the lo...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Street in Porto Maurizio
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique handmade laid paper, 9 5/8 x 4 1/4 inches (246 x 109 mm), full margins. Signed and dated (1928) in pencil, lower margin. Printed by Frederick Reynolds. In very goo...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Bourges – The Cathedral of St. Étienne
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on watermarked handmade F J Head & Co cream laid paper with a deckle edge, 14 1/8 x 9 1/8 inches (358 x 232 mm); sheet 18 1/8 x 11 inches (461 x 280 mm), full margins. Signed...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Le Pont Notre Dame, Mende
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
An excellent impression from an edition of only three proofs. Etching on antique watermarked Arches laid Japon paper with a deckle edge, 8 x 12 1/2 inches (204 x 318 mm); sheet 12 1...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Sunlight on Stone; Caudebec-en-Caux
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
One of only 26 impressions of the second state (of 2), printed in 1931. With the John Taylor Arms ink stamp in black ink in the lower-center margin.
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Stanwick Churchyard
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream wove paper, 2 3/8 x 3/14 inches (61 x 83), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "IV" in the artist's hand. In superb condition with the numerals "365" written i...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Old Corner, Rouen
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream wove paper, 6 x 4 inches (153 x 102 mm), full margins. Signed in pencil, lower margin. From the edition of 150, printed by Frederick Reynolds. [Fletcher 163] This ...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Precious Stones; Église Notre Dame - Les Andelys
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
A proof impression aside from the edition of 260 printed by David Strang for the Miniature Print Society, Kansas City, Mo. With the John Taylor Arms collection ink stamp in black on ...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Stokesay Castle
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on fine, light cream laid paper, 2 1/4 x 2 15/16 inches ( 58 x 75 mm), full margins. Signed and inscribed "II" in pencil, lower margin. A trial proof impression of the second...
Laid Paper, Etching
Place Plumereau, Tours
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
An impression printed by the artist Etching on antique cream laid paper, 1 7/8 x 3 1/8 inches (49 x 79 mm), full margins. Signed, dated, and titled in pencil, lower margin. From the...
Laid Paper, Etching
New York Skyline
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
A superb impression in warm black ink, on cream, laid paper; the full sheet with margins (1 5/8 to 2 3/4 inches); original brown paper hinges on the top sheet edge recto, in excellen...
Etching
Chartres in Miniature
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on fine, laid antique Head & Co. paper with a partial watermark. 1/2 x 13/16 (13 x 21 mm), full margins. Signed, dated, and inscribed "II" in pencil, lower margin. A trial pr...
Laid Paper, Etching
Notre Dame de Paris
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
A superb, dark impression of a well known scene by Arms. Etching with aquatint on watermarked handmade F.J. Head & Co. laid paper, 12 3/8 x 13 15/16 inches (315 x 354 mm), full marg...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching, Aquatint
The Church of St. Francis and the Natizone – Cividale
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique cream laid paper, 10 x 14 13/16 inches (254 x 377 mm), full margins. Signed in pencil and inscribed "Ed. 100" (from a total edition of 128). Third state (of three...
Laid Paper, Etching
Afterglow; Geddington, England.
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique Emberlin 1846 cream laid paper with a parial watermark of Britannia, or Seated Victory, set in a cartouche, surmounted by the Crown of England, 3 1/4 x 5 1/2 inche...
Laid Paper, Etching
Church of Saint Jean, Laigle, Orne
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on white laid paper with an "England" watermark, 3 x 1 3/4 inches (76 x 45 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "II" in pencil, lower margin. One of 13 trial proof ...
Laid Paper, Etching
Thirteenth Century Belfry; Hôtel De Ville, Abbeville
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on buff wove J Whatman handmade paper with a partial watermark, 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches (89 x 44 mm), full margins. Signed in pencil and inscribed "III" in the lower margin. A p...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Wilby Church, Northhamptonshire, England
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
A fine proof impression on antique paper Etching on antique laid paper with a large heraldic watermark. 4 1/4 x 2 3/8 inches (109 x 61mm), full margins. Signed, dated, and inscribed...
Laid Paper, Etching
Street in Porto Maurizio
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique cream laid paper with a partial watermark, 9 5/8 x 4 1/4 inches (246 x 109 mm); full margins. Signed and dated "1928" in pencil, lower margin. Inscribed "Street in...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Rodez; The Tower of Notre Dame
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique wove Catalunya-Spain watermarked paper, 12 x 5 inches (305 x 127 mm), full margins. Signed and dated in pencil, lower margin. In excellent condition with light ton...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Fiesole: An Ancient Tower
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique cream laid paper, 7 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches (201 x 130 mm), full margins. Edition of 150. Printed by Federick Reynolds. Signed and dated in pencil, lower right. Arms wa...
Handmade Paper, Etching, Laid Paper
Shadows in Mexico
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on bluish-grey, antique laid paper, 5 x 3 5/8 inches (127 x 93 mm), signed, dated, and inscribed "III" in pencil, lower margin. A proof impression from the third state (of 3)...
Laid Paper, Etching
La Rue de Change, Tours
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique cream laid paper, 5 x 2 inches (127 x 52 mm), full margins. Signed and dated in pencil lower margin. From the editoin of 156, printed by Frederick Reynolds. In s...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Sunlight on Stone; Caudebec-en-Caux
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique laid Japon paper, 14 1/2 x 7 5/8 inches ( 368 x 195 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "Ed. 100 II" in pencil in the lower margin. One of 100 impressio...
Laid Paper, Etching, Handmade Paper
Shadows of Venice
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching and aquatint on antique laid paper, wide margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "Edition of 100" in pencil, lower margin. Second state (of 2). A rich and inky impression of thi...
Laid Paper, Etching, Aquatint
Fiesole, an Ancient Tower
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique cream laid paper, 7 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches (201 x 130 mm), full margins. Edition of 150. Printed by Federick Reynolds. Signed and dated in pencil, lower right. Arms wa...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Thirteenth Century Belfry; Hôtel De Ville, Abbeville
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on Japon paper, 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches (89 x 44 mm), full margins. Signed in pencil and inscribed "III" in the lower margin. Likely an unrecorded trial proof impression from th...
Handmade Paper, Etching
$300
Precious Stones – South Transeptal Portal, Church of Notre Dame des Andelys
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream wove paper 3 5/16 x 1 7/8 inches (84 x 49 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "II" in pencil, lower margin. Likely one of eight trial proof impressions f...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Stanwick Churchyard
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream wove paper, 2 3/8 x 3/14 inches (61 x 83), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "IV" in the artist's hand. In very good condition. Fletcher states only two tria...
Etching, Handmade Paper, Aquatint
Porta del Paradiso, Venezia
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream laid paper, 1930. 7 1/2 x 3 7/8 inches (190 x 970 mm), full margins. Signed and inscribed "Edition 100" in pencil, lower margin. In very good condition with minor s...
Laid Paper, Etching
Chartres, The Magnificent
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on handmade cream laid paper, 3 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches (890 x 108 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "III" in pencil, lower margin. Edition of 150, third state (of th...
Laid Paper, Etching
Stokesay Castle
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
The Minature Print Society of Kansas City, Mo. , 1942. Etching on cream colored Japon wove paper, 2 1/4 x 2 15/16 inches (58 x 75 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "II"...
Handmade Paper, Etching
Jewelry Choir Stalls of the Cathedral of St Cecilia, Albi; The Reredos
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching with aquatint on cream wove paper, 1 3/4 x 5 inches (178x 127 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "Ed. 150" in pencil, lower margin. Second state (of 3), before th...
Etching, Handmade Paper, Aquatint
$600
Gloria, Saint Riquier; The Church of Saint Riquier; Gloria Ecclesiae Antiquae
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique cream laid paper with an "England" watermark; 13 7/8 x 8 5/8 inches (353 x 221 mm), full margins. Signed, dated, titled, numbered "III," and inscribed in pencil. O...
Handmade Paper, Etching, Laid Paper
Coutances
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on thin, bluish-green cream laid paper, 9 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches (233 x 120 mm), full margins. Signed and dated in pencil, lower margin. First and only state. Printed by Frederi...
Laid Paper, Etching
La Tour D'Horloge, Dinan
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
tching on green-hued antique laid Japon paper, 9 7/16 x 4 1/16 (240 x 104 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and inscribed "Ed. 100 II." One of a total edition on 124 impressions, prin...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Cavendish Church
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on bluish-grey, thin laid paper, 9 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (242 x 140 mm), full margins. Signed, dated and numbered "II." In very good condition with three pin-point sized dots of...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Thirteenth Century Belfry; Hôtel De Ville, Abbeville
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique laid paper, 6 9/16 x 3 15/16 inches (167 x 100 mm), signed and dated in pencil, lower margin. Potentially a trial proof impression aside from the unsigned edition ...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Notre Dame du Val, Provins / Thibaut
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on bluish-grey wove paper, 8 5/8 x 5 1/8 inches (221 x 130 mm), full margins. Signed and dated in pencil. In good condition with light mat tone on the recto and various frame...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Corbel on Gate House, Stokesay Castle, Shropshire Corbel
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream wove paper, 3 3/16 x 1 9/16 inches (81 x 41 mm), full margins. Signed, dated, and inscribed "II" in pencil, lower margin, and with an inscription and dedication in t...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Lescure, Une Tour Des Remparts
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on antique laid paper, 6 9/16 x 3 15/16 inches (167 x 100 mm), signed and dated in pencil, lower margin. Potentially a trial proof impression aside from the unsigned edition ...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
Corbel on Gate House, Stokesay Castle, Shropshire
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on cream laid paper, 3 3/16 x 1 9 1/6 inches (81 x 41 mm), full margins. Signed, dated, and inscribed "II" in pencil, lower margin. From the second state (of 2) before the re...
Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching
San Marino (Sketch)
By John Taylor Arms
Located in Middletown, NY
Ecthing in black ink on cream laid paper with a partial watermark, full margins. In excellent condition. A very scarce work from an edition of less than 20 impressions. Signed, date...
Laid Paper, Etching
John Taylor Arms was born in Washington, D.C., in 1887. Arms studied architecture at Princeton and MIT and later became the country’s finest etcher of his age. His renderings of European and American architectural subjects are not only beautiful, but they are unrivaled in their technical virtuosity and nuanced light. In a recent exhibit, the Cleveland Museum noted, Arms believed that art could be a tool for the spiritual and moral improvement of mankind and that Gothic cathedrals represented the most significant expression of man’s aspirations. He viewed printmaking as a vehicle for disseminating images of subjects that would uplift and inspire contemporary society. He served as President of the Society of American Etchers and as an ambassador for American printmakers and printmaking throughout the world.
Decorating with fine art prints — whether they’re figurative prints, abstract prints or another variety — has always been a practical way of bringing a space to life as well as bringing works by an artist you love into your home.
Pursued in the 1960s and ’70s, largely by Pop artists drawn to its associations with mass production, advertising, packaging and seriality, as well as those challenging the primacy of the Abstract Expressionist brushstroke, printmaking was embraced in the 1980s by painters and conceptual artists ranging from David Salle and Elizabeth Murray to Adrian Piper and Sherrie Levine.
Printmaking is the transfer of an image from one surface to another. An artist takes a material like stone, metal, wood or wax, carves, incises, draws or otherwise marks it with an image, inks or paints it and then transfers the image to a piece of paper or other material.
Fine art prints are frequently confused with their more commercial counterparts. After all, our closest connection to the printed image is through mass-produced newspapers, magazines and books, and many people don’t realize that even though prints are editions, they start with an original image created by an artist with the intent of reproducing it in a small batch. Fine art prints are created in strictly limited editions — 20 or 30 or maybe 50 — and are always based on an image created specifically to be made into an edition.
Many people think of revered Dutch artist Rembrandt as a painter but may not know that he was a printmaker as well. His prints have been preserved in time along with the work of other celebrated printmakers such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol. These fine art prints are still highly sought after by collectors.
“It’s another tool in the artist’s toolbox, just like painting or sculpture or anything else that an artist uses in the service of mark making or expressing him- or herself,” says International Fine Print Dealers Association (IFPDA) vice president Betsy Senior, of New York’s Betsy Senior Fine Art, Inc.
Because artist’s editions tend to be more affordable and available than his or her unique works, they’re more accessible and can be a great opportunity to bring a variety of colors, textures and shapes into a space.
For tight corners, select small fine art prints as opposed to the oversized bold piece you’ll hang as a focal point in the dining area. But be careful not to choose something that is too big for your space. And feel free to lean into it if need be — not every work needs picture-hanging hooks. Leaning a larger fine art print against the wall behind a bookcase can add a stylish installation-type dynamic to your living room. (Read more about how to arrange wall art here.)
Find fine art prints for sale on 1stDibs today.