Light and Shade, Taxco by John Taylor Arms

Light and Shade, Taxco by John Taylor Arms

Light and Shade, Taxco

John Taylor Arms

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.
Title

Light and Shade, Taxco

 
Artist
Year
1946  
Technique
etching 
Image Size
10 3/16 x 13 9/16" platemark 
Signature
pencil signed, lower right 
Edition Size
279 
Annotations
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  
Reference
Fletcher 394; Mexican series #2; Arms 405; LOC 188 
Paper
ivory wove with J GREEN & SON watermark 
State
ii/ii 
Publisher
artist 
Inventory ID
24623 
Price
$900.00 
Description

Fletcher noted that Arms stated in two letters that he was dissatisfied with the Charles White printing and wanted to destroy all of the editon of 94. Sixty-seven prints were totally undesirable and he did destroy at least fifteen. David Strang then printed an edition of 185.

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.

 

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.