James McBey

Scottish, 1883 - 1959

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The image features a shoreline extending into a body of water, with hills, buildings, and a ship on the horizon. The etching technique uses precise lines in a monochromatic palette. The shoreline is detailed with vegetation and rocks, and small figures are visible by a dock. The sky is etched with swirling lines resembling clouds.
James McBey, The Morgan at Mystic, 1942, etching, Rosenwald Collection, 1946.21.140

The Morgan at Mystic

James McBey · 1942 · etching ·  Accession ID  1946.21.140

The image depicts a city market scene from an elevated point of view. The scene includes numerous people, tents, and a distant skyline with a tall minaret. The etching technique uses fine lines and cross-hatching for detail. The color palette is sepia, giving a vintage feel to the image and emphasizing the bustling atmosphere of the market.
James McBey, Marrakesh, 1938, etching, Gift of Mrs. James McBey, 1963.14.4

Marrakesh

James McBey · 1938 · etching ·  Accession ID  1963.14.4

The image shows several sailboats navigating through a choppy sea. The water is depicted with broad strokes suggesting movement and texture. Two large sailboats are positioned on the right, angled towards the left side. Smaller boats are scattered farther away, diminishing in size towards the horizon. The low horizon line creates a sky filled with swirling cloud-like lines. The color palette is limited to shades of gray and black, creating a monochromatic atmosphere with strong contrast. The technique consists of sketch-like strokes that convey immediacy and dynamism to the scene.
James McBey, The Thames Barge Race: The Start, 1935, etching, Gift of Mrs. James McBey, 1963.14.10

The Thames Barge Race: The Start

James McBey · 1935 · etching ·  Accession ID  1963.14.10

The image shows sailboats on choppy waters. The viewpoint appears low, emphasizing motion among the waves and boats. The composition has a high horizon, suggesting vastness of the sea. Distant sails fade into the background. The artwork features dynamic and expressive etching lines capturing sea and sails' motion. The color palette is monochromatic, varying in shades of black and gray, highlighting the etching technique. The water closest to us is detailed and abstract, while lines soften in the distance, leading to the high horizon and sailboats' intricate sails.
James McBey, The Thames Barge Race: The "Sarah" Winning, 1935, etching, Gift of Mrs. James McBey, 1963.14.11

The Thames Barge Race: The "Sarah" Winning

James McBey · 1935 · etching ·  Accession ID  1963.14.11

The image depicts a coastal scene with an elevated perspective. The top portion of the image shows the horizon with sailing boats on calm water. The artwork features detailed line work conveying texture and form, particularly in the people and animals depicted. The monochromatic palette uses shades of brown for contrast. Closest to the viewer, seated figures and animals are gathered on a rocky shoreline, appearing to be part of a community gathering. The scene extends into a wide beach leading to sailboats at sea.
James McBey, Phoenician Coast, 1934, etching, Gift of Mrs. James McBey, 1963.14.7

Phoenician Coast

James McBey · 1934 · etching ·  Accession ID  1963.14.7

The image shows a scene from a low vantage point along a shoreline. The perspective sweeps across the water toward sailing ships. Darkly shaded boats and figures are depicted with loose, expressive strokes suggesting movement and activity. The horizon is above the center, with a large, intricately drawn ship on it, masts and sails extending upward. More ships are visible in the distance, with faint outlines against the light sky. The brushstrokes are delicate and etching-like, providing a textured appearance contrasting with the smoother background. The color palette is monochromatic, with tones of sepia and black creating a subtle visual impact emphasizing light and shadow.
James McBey, Palos - Departure of Columbus, 1492, 1932, etching, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6038

Palos - Departure of Columbus, 1492

James McBey · 1932 · etching ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6038

The image shows a rural scene with rolling hills in the distance. Tree tops and rooftops are visible against the sky. A large tree is on the left, painted with expressive brushstrokes. The painting features loose and fluid brushwork. The color palette is soft and muted, with greens, blues, reds, and browns blending harmoniously. A road leads into the distance where two figures are walking toward a building with red chimney tops. The sky is lightly washed blue with touches of white.
James McBey, Black Boy Inn, Nettlebed, 1930, pen and black ink and watercolor on laid paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6099

Black Boy Inn, Nettlebed

James McBey · 1930 · pen and black ink and watercolor on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6099

The image is a portrait showing the upper body of a man depicted in profile, facing slightly to the right. The man is in a seated or standing position, with only his head and shoulders shown. His facial features include a prominent nose and he is wearing round glasses. The hair is short and closely cropped, appearing dark and neatly combed. The man is dressed in a formal suit, indicated by the suggestion of a tie and collar. His suit jacket has minimal detailing, drawn with light sketch lines. The background is plain without any notable features or objects. The illustration appears to be a drawing with fine lines.
James McBey, Lessing J. Rosenwald, 1930, etching, Rosenwald Collection, 1980.45.985

Lessing J. Rosenwald

James McBey · 1930 · etching ·  Accession ID  1980.45.985

The image is a portrait of a man from the chest up. He is positioned slightly angled to his left but facing outward. He has short, neatly combed hair and is wearing round spectacles with a neutral facial expression. The man is wearing a suit jacket, a collared shirt, and a necktie. The background is plain. The artwork has a signature at the bottom which includes "MCBEY" along with a date and location.
James McBey, Lessing J. Rosenwald, 1930, etching, Rosenwald Collection, 1980.45.983

Lessing J. Rosenwald

James McBey · 1930 · etching ·  Accession ID  1980.45.983

The image depicts an upper-body portrait of a man. He is standing, leaning slightly to the right with his right arm resting on a surface. The man has a round face, smooth features, and is wearing glasses. His hair is short and neatly combed. He is dressed in a formal suit, consisting of a jacket over a shirt. The background is plain with subtle sketch lines indicating the man's arm is on a surface, possibly a desk or railing. There are no other objects present in the background. The artwork is monochromatic with visible sketch lines and shading, giving it a classic, vintage appearance.
James McBey, Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, 1930, drypoint, Rosenwald Collection, 1980.45.977

Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach

James McBey · 1930 · drypoint ·  Accession ID  1980.45.977