Precious Stones, Eglise Notre Dame, Les Andelys
John Taylor Arms; Charles S. White; David Strang
Description
Subject Matter:
The print depicts the façade of the South Transeptal Portal of the Notre Dame church in the commune of Les Andelys in Normandy (between Paris and Rouen). Built between the 13th and 16th centuries, it exemplifies the Gothic architectural features that Arms, who trained as an architect, admired above all other styles.
This print was issued in a limited edition exclusively for members of the Miniature Print Society (in Alexandria, VA), in November of 1946. It was accompanied by a page of text by the artist, titled "Precious Stones." Arms wrote of the print, " . . . to me, that little doorway was structurally so beautiful, and spiritually meaningful, it filled my eyes with joy and my heart with wonder. To its challenge I could and did give full inner repose. That the repsonse remains in my eyes inadequate is simply due to the fact that I do not, and never will, possess the skill to match the feeling with expression."
Physical Description:
The vertical rectangular space of the image is completely filled with a detailed rendering of a section of an intricate Gothic portal façade. In the foreground a checked tile floor creates a recession into the space. In the center of the composition two doors are framed by a high, pointed arch. The space of the arch is filled with fine cut-out ornamental stonework. Arched niches containing figural sculptures flank each side of the main archway, and one also separates the two doors. The top of the image is framed by two rows of geometric ornamental decor.
Beneath the image is an ornamental panel of simulated marble, on which the title of the image is written in gothic script: "Eglise Notre Dame / Les Andelys".
Signed and dated: "John Taylor Arms / 1946"
Usage Rights:
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