John Taylor Arms

Background

John Taylor Arms was born Apr. 19, 1887, in Washington, D. C.

Education

He studied architecture under Dé siré Desire Despradelle at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, receiving his B. S. degree in 1911 and his M. S. in 1912.

Career

He began to draw and etch in his spare time, and after World War I he made art his vocation. On his travels in France, Spain, and Italy, Arms studied medieval churches, and it is for his accurately rendered etchings of Gothic churches that he is best known. His book, Handbook of Print Making and Print Makers, was published in 1934. He died in New York City on Oct. 13, 1953.

Achievements

• Arms created more than 400 prints that explore a variety of subjects in addition to Gothic cathedrals.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Modern American Etchers: Arthur William Heintzelman
  • JOHN TAYLOR ARMS American Etchers Volume V

Membership

A member of many printmaking societies, Arms served as president of the American Society of Graphic Artists.

Arms was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member in 1930, and became a full member in 1933.

References

• John Taylor Arms,: Notes on the development of an American etcher,
• John Taylor Arms: Plates of Perfect Beauty
• John Taylor Arms a Man for All Time, the Artist and His Work
• Four Hedges. A Gardener's Chronicle