The Gothic Spirit (also called A Gargoyle, A Gothic Spirit). 1922. Etching and stipple. Fletcher 120. 11 3/4 x 7 (sheet 15 3/4 x 10 1/2). Gargoyle Series #8. Edition 130. Illustrated:Print Collector's Quarterly 21 (1934):126; American Etchers: John Taylor Arms. A glowing impression printed on simili-Japon paper. Signed, dated and annotated 'I' in pencil.
John Taylor Arms (1887-1953) is one of the foremost American printmakers of the first half of the 20th century. Arms was born in Washington, DC in 1887. He studied law at Princeton University, transferring to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, to study architecture, graduating in 1912. After serving as an officer in the United States Navy during World War I, he devoted himself full-time to etching. He published his first original etchings in 1919.
His initial subject was the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City near which he worked. Arms developed a successful career as a graphic artist in the 1920s and 1930s, specializing in series of etchings of Gothic churches and cathedrals in France and Italy. In addition to medieval subjects, Arms made a series of prints of American cities. he spent the majority of his 50-year career documenting Europe's great Gothic churches. Arms believed that art could be a tool for the spiritual and moral improvement of mankind and that Gothic cathedrals represented 'the most significant expression of man's aspirations.' He viewed printmaking as a vehicle for disseminating images of subjects that would uplift and inspire contemporary society."
He used sewing needles and magnifying glasses to get a fine level of detail. A member of many printmaking societies, Arms served as president of the American Society of Graphic Artists. An educator, Arms wrote the Handbook of Print Making and Print Makers (1934) and did numerous demonstrations and lectures. Arms was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member in 1930, and became a full member in 1933.
Additional etchings by John Taylor Arms are available on the Allinson Gallery, Inc. website.
