A Chimera, Rheims

 

John Taylor Arms

  1887 - 1953 (biography)

1921  

etching 

4 3/8 x 2 3/8" platemark 

pencil, lower center margin 

50 

dated 1921 after the signature; inscribed "Personal Collection" in the lower left; and pencil titled at lower left sheet edge and inscribed "MA" in lower right of sheet 

Fletcher 105; Gargoyle Series #5; Minature Series #6; LOC 61; Arms 419 

fine, ivory laid 

I/I 

artist 

24553 

$1,000.00 

Reims Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture. The exterior is richly decorated with elegant masonry sculpture. Some of these are grotesque gargoyles which function as downspouts to drain rainwater from the roofs and direct it outward away from the walls of the cathedral and its foundation. With this etching, Arms depicts chimera which are purely ornamental and some believe they were placed on cathedrals to ward off even sprints. These erect sculptures are often located above gargoyles.