James McBey's Explanation of His Picture on Menu, Portfolio of Menu Cards and Letters Relating to the Khayyam Club
AuthorWritten by
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
AssociatedAssociated with
The Omar Khayyam Club
Date1929
Object NameEssay
Mediumpaper
ClassificationsMcBey
DimensionsFirst Copy: 33 x 20.3cm
Second Copy: 33 x 20.3cm
Third Copy, Sheet One: 25.3 x 20.3cm
Third Copy, Sheet Two: 25.3 x 20.3cm
Second Copy: 33 x 20.3cm
Third Copy, Sheet One: 25.3 x 20.3cm
Third Copy, Sheet Two: 25.3 x 20.3cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG008362.2
Keywords
Three copies of the explanation are included within this record - one copy consists of two sheets. The explanation states that McBey wanted to express the "human equilibrium", the "true harmony between the reminiscence of literal naturalism and the tendency towards the uncharted wilds of alchemic eclecticism". He describes his image as representing the "yearning of the mind for the soul, the attraction of the tangible for the intangible".
This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this essay.
Mary Garden
late 14th-early 15th Century
Thomas Brown
