About the work

John Taylor Arms, one of the most important American printmakers of the first half of the Twentieth Century, believed that art could further the spiritual and moral improvement of mankind. He viewed printmaking—with its ability to create multiple fine copies of the same image—as a vehicle for disseminating images of subjects that would uplift and inspire contemporary society.

This print showing Église Saint Michel, Pont L’Évêque is part of Arms’ Churches of France series.

This work is one of only five made by Arms. Arms inscribed at the bottom:

“Sketch, Bury St. Edmunds – Impression from demonstration plate drawn, etched, and printed in two hours at Wells College, Aurora, NY, Sept. 27, 1940. / To Dr. and Mrs. Weld, with my compliments. / John Taylor Arms 1941”

Arms later made a second state of the plate, from which 13 impressions were drawn.

It goes almost without saying that this work could not have been drawn, etched, and printed in two hours’ time by anyone less than a true master. This work has been acknowledged as among Arms’ greatest accomplishments, both technically and artistically.

Attributes	Value
Medium	Etching
Date	1920-1940
Signing, Dating, and Titling	Titled and dated en recto
Framing	Custom framed and matted using conservation materials
Condition	Excellent Condition
Type	Old Etchings

Medium:

Etching on antique-white mould-made laid paper

Date:

1940

Signature:

Signed and dated in pencil by the artist en recto lower center. Inscribed by the artist as the third trial proof of the third state en recto lower left. Also signed and titled in the plate.

Printer:

Frederick Reynolds, London

Edition:

From the edition of 5.

Framing:

Custom framed and matted in a decorative wood frame and glazed with 99% UV-blocking art glass using strictly conservation-grade materials.

Condition:

Excellent condition. The image is crisp and clear and well inked. Paper is undamaged except for modest mat burn.

Framed Size:

13.75 in. (h) x 9.75 in. (w) x 0.75 in. (d)

Plate Size:

5.875 in. (h) x 3.875 in. (w)