Light and Shade, Taxco

 

John Taylor Arms

  1887 - 1953 (biography)

1946  

etching 

10 3/16 x 13 9/16" platemark 

pencil signed, lower right 

279 

pencil dated 1946 after the signature and inscribed II in lower left; dedicated in lower center margin at sheet edge: "To my friends, Genevieve and Philip Cody / with understanding / John Taylor Arms -1484"; also titled by Arms in the lower left corner  

Fletcher 394; Mexican series #2; Arms 405; LOC 188 

ivory wove with J GREEN & SON watermark 

ii/ii 

artist 

24623 

$1,000.00 

John Taylor Arms depicts the mountain city of Taxco de Alarcon, Guererro, Mexico, known today simply as Taxco. Built by Spanish colonizers around their silver mining operations beginning in the 16th century, the prominent architectural features shown in this image reflect a multitude of styles, but most prominently, the elaborate Baroque profile of Santa Prisca Church. Most significantly, however, might be his dedication to the chiaroscuro effect of evening light on the entire city, and despite the complexity of the scene spread before him, there is an overarching balance in the deep shadows and bright highlights he has depicted throughout.

Having been trained as an architect before pursuing an art career, Arms’ fascination and admiration of the Gothic, Baroque, and Tudor styles of Europe was indefatigable. However, World War II temporarily ended his travels across the pond, and he turned his attention to Mexico, where he found a treasure trove of “Churrigueresque”, also known as “Ultra Baroque”, colonial Spanish churches, cathedrals, and more. Taxco’s architecture remains a focal point for artists today.