Correspondence from James McBey to Marguerite McBey
SenderSent by
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
RecipientAwarded to
Marguerite McBey
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 1905 - 1999)
Date1932
Object NameLetter
Mediumpaper
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions27.2 x 18.4cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Family of James & Marguerite McBey
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG008318.53
Keywords
McBey writes about his shopping for pencils and inks, and how he has been looking for variety, after working almost every day on a painting called "Coal Miners", inspired by his visit to the Anthracite Coal Regions of Pennsylvania that April. He calls the composition "ambitious"; the canvas is "40 x 50", with an extensive landscape; it is "dramatic", but the colour is "low in key". He appears pleased with the painting so far. He said he might stay in Philadelphia for the summer, with a visit again to the Coal Regions in August. He says he would "very much like to see the Picasso show", thinking him to be the "most significant artist of our time", although his interest is for "El Greco, [...] Rembrandt, Delacroix" and the "masters".
He claims "business has been rotten", and that he might "hire [himself] out on a farm" - which will perhaps do him "some good".
He has been asked to contribute a picture to the Exhibition of American Contemporary Paintings that Autumn. He says he would like to show "Coal Miners".
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 letter.
