Artist and Model

James McBey

In 1931 James McBey married the American heiress Marguerite Loeb. This self portrait etching was made at the height of James McBey’s success for inclusion in the comprehensive catalogue raisonné of his printed works by Martin Hardie.

James McBey has portrayed himself against the large north window of his studio while a young girl sits for her portrait in oils, holding a large book on her knees. Behind her is the artist’s easel supporting the canvas on which he is working. It is somewhat unusual for McBey to have chosen to portray himself as a painter in a self portrait designed for inclusion in the fundamental reference book on his work as an etcher and printmaker.

This image was printed with 9 trial proofs, after which the plate was cut at the top and bottom. It was then printed in an edition of 510 proofs; 10 artist's proofs, numbered A through N and 500 proofs used as a frontispiece for the Hardie raisonné.