Stranger in England, St. Lawrence, West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

 

John Taylor Arms

  1887 - 1953 (biography)

1940  

etching 

5 9/16 x 2 3/4" platemark 

pencil 

443 

dated & titled; annotated “(Church of St. Lawrence, West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire); also dedicated to John Winkler: “To John from John” 

Fletcher 336; English Series #8; Miniature Series #25 

David Strang watermarked laid 

III/III 

artist 

JW265 

$250.00 

Printed by David Strang. This print was used in part to illustrate David Strang's "Etching: The Printer Proves the Plate", Print II: 3, 4, October, December 1941.

It’s not entirely certain why John Taylor Arms opted to title this etching “Stranger in England,” except to say that the imposing facade of St. Lawrence’s Church is an unusual structure that overlooks West Wycombe village from its highest hill, and holds an intriguing history that features a secret club, a golden ball-shaped tavern, and an ancient Syrian motif.

Originally built in the 15th century to serve a medieval village - now lost to time - St. Lawrence’s was gradually remodeled as the village of West Wycombe was established in the 18th century. Its bell tower was raised in the mid 18th century so as to be seen from miles away as one travels the main road in from the west. On top of the tower rests a giant golden ball, large enough to hold up to six seated persons, built out of wood and leafed in gold on the outside. The original version was much larger and could seat up to ten, and it is rumored to have been the meeting place of the infamous Hellfire Club for upper class rakes, founded by Sir Francis Dashwood. Dashwood remodeled the nave to resemble the Vitruvian architecture depicted in Robert Wood’s etchings of the Temple of the Sun in Palmyra, including Corinthian pillars and bays. In the graveyard is buried the writer, playwright, artist, and founder of the women’s Lyceum Club (still active), Constance Smedley.

Arms uses his signature eye for detail to capture the storied structure in all of its glory and age. Tilted headstones, mottled stone walls, a sunlit path, and the shining orb of the Golden Ball are all bordered by leafy spring growth, making a handsome portrait of a unique piece of English history.