Church Interior (Sketchbook France)
Artist
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
Date1916-1917
Object NameSketch
Mediumpaper and pencil
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions11.8 x 18.2cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1960 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003062.31
About MeIn January 1916 McBey began his first war service, and was stationed with the Army Printing and Stationary Office in Rouen, France. All sketching was prohibited during his service, but keen to sketch the desolation in the Somme, McBey applied to spend his week's leave there. This sketch was created by McBey during that time, and is kept within a sketchbook, along with a series of other related drawings. It depicts a church interior, possibly the Gothic Roman Catholic church of St Ouen, Rouen.
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 sketch.
