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John Taylor ArmsBorn in Washington, D.C., Arms, studied at Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His sureness of hand and microscopic vision assured him a place as one of the foremost architectural etchers in the world.
Impressed with Gothic architecture he etched many of the cathedrals, gables, and gargoyles, throughout his travels in Europe. His total output contained approximately 444 prints with hundreds and even thousands of hours spent on some plates. The exquisite line work in his etchings was enhanced, by using sewing needles, thus defining the detail in the shadows and lighting, projected on stone and water.
His superb quality of draftsmanship caused the editor of The Print Collector's Quarterly, Fitzroy Carrington, to state, "For God's sake, John, don't you ever make a mistake, get drunk or something!"
Arms, also built a wonderful collection of graphic arts which encompassed thousands of images. He was considered the leading spokesman and advocate in the promotion of American graphic arts.
Bassham, Ben L., John Taylor Arms: American Etcher, Madison, Wisconsin, 1925.
Crafton Collection, American Etchers, Vol.5, John Taylor Arms, Philadelphia, 1930.
Fletcher, William Dolan, John Taylor Arms: A Man For All Time, New Haven, 1982.
Johnson, Una E., American Prints and Printmakers, New York, 1980, p.36.
Saville, Jennifer, John Taylor Arms: Plates of Perfect Beauty, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1905.
Zigrosser, Carl, The Artist in America, New York, 1942, p.29.
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
The Herbert Lowell Dillon Gymnasium, Princeton, NJ
8 x 9-1/4 in.
Etching, 1947, edition 356. Fletcher 406. Signed and dated 1947 in pencil. Printed on antique laid paper.
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
Gloria Ecclesiae Antiquae
14 x 8-3/4 in.
Etching, 1937, edition 175, (state, III/IV). Fletcher 307. Signed and dated in pencil. Annotation in pencil, "III, Private collection, "c" (collection "c" denotes-from the collection of the artist's son, John Taylor Arms III). Lower left, "Gloria" (Church of St. Requier, France.) Number 39 of the "French Churches"/Third state before the decorative band with inscription was cut off. One of the artist's preferred plates. Printed on pale blue-green laid paper with a watermark, F.J.Head & Co. Hand-Made. Full margins. Selected for Fine Prints of the Year, 1938, pl.60.
$800. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
Coxe Hall, Hobart College, Geneva, NY
4 x 6 in.
Etching, 1940, edition 78. Fletcher 337. Titled in the plate; signed and dated in pencil with notation, "Impression from demonstration plate, drawn, etched, and printed in two hours at Hobart College, Geneva, NY. May 9, 1940. To Professor Frederick [Lahmart], with my compliments, John Taylor Arms, 1940."
$200. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
Sketch, Hertford (Hertfordshire)
4 x 6 in.
Etching, 1942, edition 59, Fletcher 365. Titled in the plate, lower left, signed and titled in pencil with notation, "Impression from demonstration plate, drawn, etched, and printed in 2 hours, 12 minutes, at Hobart College, Geneva, NY. March 9, 1942. With the compliments of the artist."
$200. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1889-1946)
Mediaeval Pageantry
12-1/2 x 8-5/8 in.
Etching, 1933, edition 161. Fletcher 270. Signed and dated by both Arms and Eby. Arms doing the building and Eby the figures. Printed on laid paper with a watermark, Tharlessi. Full margins. One of Arms preferred plates. Awarded a prize at the annual exhibition of the California Society of Etchers, 1952.
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
Abbeville or St. Vulfran
7-3/8 x 7-3/4 in.
Etching, 1925, edition 150. From the French Series. Fletcher 165. Signed and dated in pencil. In good condition, printed on laid paper with a watermark, F.J.Head. Large margins.
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