The Wonderful World of James McBey: The Fine Art Society and Fettes Fine Art
Over a period of 50 years James McBey (1883-1959) would have studios in London, the US and Morocco. From the north-east of Scotland, where he was born and raised, he went on to travel extensively through Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the States and central America. He produced a substantial body of work and set saleroom records for the highest prices achieved by a contemporary printmaker.
Our exhibition brings together more than 70 artworks - paintings, watercolours and prints - with many from the personal collections of the artist’s late wife and Martin Hardie.
We have produced an online viewing room for this exhibition, available here.
-
James McBeyTetuan, 1912oil on canvasboard7 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyDuncan M Macdonald, 1924signed and inscribed 'to Mrs. Macdonald from James McBey 1924'oil on canvas25 x 19 ½ inches
-
James McBeyVillefranche, 1927signed, titled and dated 4 February 1927oil on canvasboard23 x 13 inches
-
James McBeyFrances Gripper, c.1929oil on canvas28 x 23 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyHortense Loeb, 1931signed and dated 6 July 1931oil on canvas28 1/2 x 24 inches
-
James McBeyMarguerite McBey in a Striped Robe, 1932signed and dated 19 February 1932oil on canvas32 x 22 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyA Bury Farm, 1936signed, inscribed 'Bury' and dated 1936oil on canvas14 x 19 3/4 inches
-
James McBeyMarrakesh Model, c.1938oil on canvasboard12 1/4 x 20 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyVessie Owens, 1940signed, inscribed 'Brevard N.C.' and dated 1940oil on canvasboard24 x 18 inches
-
James McBeyThe Hay Cart, 1941signed and dated 1941oil on board18 x 24 inches
-
James McBeyZohra, Moroccan girl sleeping, c.1950oil on canvas18 x 24 inches
-
James McBeyThe Ovation to the Matador, c.1911signedwatercolour, pen and ink18 1/4 x 12 inches
-
James McBeyMinsmere Marshes, 1913signed, titled 'Minsmere Marshes' and dated 6 July 1913watercolour, pen and ink8 ¾ x 11 ½ inches
-
James McBeyMending the nets, Stonehaven, c.1915signedwatercolour, pen and ink9 x 13 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyBroadstairs, 1919signed and inscribed 'Broadstairs September 1919'watercolour, pen and ink8 1/4 x 13 inches
-
James McBeyGerona from the River, 1921signed, inscribed 'Gerona' and dated 13 May 1921watercolour, pen and ink7 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches
-
James McBeyRamsgate Harbour, 1922signed and dated 25 December 1922watercolour, pen and ink8 3/4 x 14 inches
-
James McBeyJohnshaven, 1929signed and inscribed 'Johnshaven, to Martin Hardie, 25 July 1929'watercolour, pen and ink9 1/2 x 15 inches
-
James McBeyDockside, New York, 1930signed, inscribed 'New York' and dated 16 December 1930watercolour, pen and ink11 x 17 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyA brave bull, San Sebastian, 1932signed, inscribed 'San Sebastian' and dated 4 September 1932watercolour, pen ink10 1/2 x 15 inches
-
James McBeyLerma, Spain, 1932signed, inscribed 'Lerma' and dated 8 September 1932watercolour, pen and ink10 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyUn Gran Pase, 1932signed, inscribed 'Seville' and dated October 1932watercolour, pen and ink17 1/4 x 12 inches
-
James McBeyThe Printing Press, Rabat, Morocco, 1933inscribed 'With all best wishes for Xmas 1933 / I hope there's a break in the clouds at last / James McBey / Rabat / Morocco / 14 Dec 1933'; inscribed versopen, ink and wash4 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches
-
James McBeyPanoramic view of San Francisco, California, 1941inscribed '30 December 1941 a perfect day'ink and wash on seamed buff paper104 x 13 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyView of San Francisco, California, 1941signed in pen and inscribed 'San Francisco, Dec 1941' in pencil; pen and ink sketch versowatercolour, pen and ink12 x 19 inches
-
James McBeyApproaching Tetuan, c.1950signedwatercolour9 1/2 x 19 1/4 inches
-
James McBeyOropesa, Spain, 1954signed, inscribed 'Oropesa' and dated 6 October 1954watercolour11 x 18 1/2 inches
-
James McBeyPunta Palmilla, Mexico, 1958signed and inscribed 'Punta Palmilla, Mexico, 17 January 1958'; inscribed 'Shipping Oxen, Punta Palmilla, Baja California, no.2' versowatercolour, pen and ink14 ¾ x 22 inches
-
James McBeyShip Building Yards, 1904signed in pen to marginetching6 x 8 3/4 inchesfrom the edition of 13 proofs
-
James McBeyA View in Wales, 1911signed and numbered XVI in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Carmarthen' and dated 10 October 1911 in platedrypoint5 x 9 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 40 proofs
-
James McBeyA Fierce Bull, 1911signed and numbered IV in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Fuenterrabia' and dated 23 July 1911 in platedrypoint5 1/2 x 8 inchesfrom the edition of 8 proofs
-
James McBeyOld Castille, 1911signed and number XXIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Burgos' and dated 26 July 1911 in plateetching7 x 11 inchesfrom the edition of 30 proofs
-
James McBeyPoitiers, 1911signed and monogrammed in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Poitiers' and dated 20 July 1911 in plateetching6 x 9 inchesfrom the edition of 40 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Banderillas, 1911signed and numbered IX in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Madrid' and dated 1911 in platedrypoint6 x 8 inchesfrom the edition of 27 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Ovation to the Matador, 1911signed and numbered XIII in pen to margin; signed and dated 1911 in platedrypoint10 1/2 x 7 inchesfrom the edition of 30 proofs
-
James McBey1588, 1912signed and numbered XXIX in pen to margin; signed and inscribed 'Collieston' in plateetching7 1/2 x 12 inchesfrom the first published state (of two); edition of 44 proofs (56 proofs total)
-
James McBeyThe Jewish Quarter, Tetuan, 1912signed and inscribed XXXI in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Tetuan' and dated December 1912 in plateetching7 1/4 x 10 inchesfrom the edition of 56 numbered and one additional proof
-
James McBeyThe Story-Teller, 1912signed and numbered XLV in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Tetuan' and dated December 1912 in plateetching6 3/4 x 11 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 56 and one additional proof
-
James McBeyThe Ford, 1913signed and numbered XXXIV in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Tetuan, Tangier' and dated 20 January 1913 in plateetching5 1/2 x 9 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 56 numbered and three additional proofs
-
James McBeyBuchan, 1914signed, monogrammed and numbered D in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Macduff' and dated 1914 in plateetching5 x 11 ½ inchesfrom the edition 55 proofs
-
James McBeyFrank Gibson, 1915signed and numbered VI in pen to margin; inscribed 'Portrait of F Gibson' in pencil to sheetetching5 1/2 x 4 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 24 proofs
-
James McBeyMalcolm Salaman (No.2), 1915signed in pen to margin; signed and dated 1915 in plateetching8 1/2 x 11 3/4 inchesfrom the edition of 10 proofs
-
James McBeyNight in Ely Cathedral, 1915signed, inscribed 'Ely Sept 1915' in plate; signed and numbered XVII in pen to margin; inscribed Night in Ely Cathedral in pencil to sheetetching11 3/8 x 7 7/8 inches
Sheet: 14 x 10 1/8 inchesfrom the published edition of 76 proofs -
James McBeyA Norman Port, 1916signed and numbered III in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Boulogne' and dated 1916 in platedrypoint6 3/4 x 14 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 46 proofs
-
James McBeyBoulogne, 1916signed and numbered X in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Boulogne' and dated 1916 in plateetching8 x 11 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Crucifix, Boulogne, 1916signed and numbered L in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Boulogne' and dated 1916 in plateetching6 x 8 inchesfrom the edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Seine at Rouven, 1916signed, monogrammed, and inscribed 'F' in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Rouen' and dated September 1916 in plateetching6 x 8 3/4 inchesone of six proofs reserved for the artist, from the edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyFrançais Inconnus, 1917signed and numbered XIX in pen to margin; signed and dated February 1917 in platedrypoint6 x 10 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and two additional proofs
-
James McBeyA Deserted Oasis, 1919signed and numbered XLII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Sinai July 1917' and dated 1919 in plateetching6 1/4 x 10 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and three additional proofs
-
James McBeyStrange Signals, 1919signed and numbered XVIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Sinai July 1917' and dated 1919 in plateetching9 x 15 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and three additional proofs
-
James McBeyDawn. The Camel Patrol Setting Out, 1919signed and numbered IV in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Serapeum July 1917' and dated 1919 in plateetching9 x 15 inchesfrom the edition of 76 and three additional proofs
-
James McBeyThe Mid-Day Halt, 1919signed and numbered XXIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Sinai July 1917' and dated 1919 in plateetching7 x 13 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and three additional proofs
-
James McBeyMargot as Lopokova, 1920signed in pen to margin; signed and dated 14 February 1920 in platedrypoint12 x 8 1/4 inchesfrom the edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Moonlight Attack, Jelil, 1920signed and numbered XXXVIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed '19 September 1918 Jelil' and dated 1920 in plateetching9 x 15 1/4 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and two additional proofs
-
James McBeyThe Sniper No.2, 1920signed and numbered F in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Kard Hill Gaza 31 October 1917' and dated 1920 in platedrypoint7 1/2 x 12 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and one additional proof
-
James McBeyHermon: Cavalry moving on Damascus, 1921signed and numbered A14 in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Kunaitra 1 October 1918' and dated 1921 in plateetching9 x 15 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and two additional proofs
-
James McBeyJerusalem From Olivet, 1921signed and numbered XLVIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Jerusalem December 1917' and dated 1921 in platedrypoint6 3/4 x 14 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 76 and one additional proof
-
James McBeyThe Dead Sea, 1921signed and numbered A17 in pen to margin; signed, inscribed '23 March 1918' and dated 1921 in platedrypoint8 x 12 inchesfrom the edition of 76 numbered and one additional proof
-
James McBeyBrightlingsea No.2, 1922signed and numbered XVI in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Burnham on Crouch' and dated August 1921 in plateetching7 1/2 x 12 inchesfrom the edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyMacduff, 1922signed and inscribed 'Trial Proof V' in pen to margin; inscribed 'Trial [IV striked through] V thin forcing ink, hard rag, [__] from crowd down', inscribed 'Written by McBey' and 'MacDuff 210' by Martin Hardie in pencil to sheetetching11 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches5th trial proof (of 8) preceding the published edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Ebb Tide, 1922signed and inscribed 'Trial IV' in pen to margin; signed twice by Martin Hardie in pencil to sheetetching8 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches4th trial proof (of 12) preceding the published edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyGale at Port Errol, 1923signed and numbered 'Trial IV' in pen to margin; inscribed 'M.H. 215. Gale at Port Errol', 'Trial IV = III' and signed Martin Hardie in pencil to sheetetching13 x 8 3/4 inches4th trial proof (of 8) preceding the published edition of 76 proofs
-
James McBeyArtist and Model (self-portrait), 1925signed in pen to margin; inscribed 'Specimen proof for publ ed. MH 223' and signed Martin Hardie in pencil to sheetetching8 3/4 x 6 inches2nd trial proof (of 9) preceding the edition of 510 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Bridge by Night, 1926signed and numbered LVIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice' and dated October 1925 in platedrypoint9 1/2 x 6 inchesfrom the edition 80 proofs
-
James McBeyPalazzo dei Camerlenghi, 1926signed and numbered VIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice' and dated October 1925 in plateetching13 x 8 ½ inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeySanta Maria Della Fava, 1926signed and numbered XLVI in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice' and dated October 1925 in plateetching and drypoint13 x 8 ½ inchesfrom edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyA Tartane Leaving Venice, 1928signed and numbered VII in pen; signed and inscribed 'Venice 12 October 1925' in plate; signed and titled by Martin Hardie in pencil to sheetetching6 1/2 x 12 1/4 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyThe Gondolier, 1928signed and numbered XIX in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice' and dated 17 October 1925 in platedrypoint6 1/2 x 14 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyFarewell to Venice, 1930signed and numbered LVI in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice', and dated 22 October 1925 in plateetching10 x 18 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyGlass Blowers, Murano, 1930signed and numbered I in pen to margin; signed and inscribed 'Venice 22 September 1925' in plateetching5 x 6 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyLessing J. Rosenwald, 1930signed and numbered XVI in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Philadelphia' and dated December 1930 in plate; inscribed 'To Mr Martin Hardie from Lessing Rosenwald 2/12/31' in pencil to sheetetching10 x 8 inchesfrom the edition of 40 proofs
-
James McBeyShipping in the Giudecca Canal, 1930signed and inscribed 'Trial Proof XIII' in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice' and dated 22 September 1924 in platedrypoint7 1/2 x 15 inches13th trial proof (of 15) preceding the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyVenetian Night, 1930signed and numbered LXXVII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Venice' and dated September 1925 in plateetching11 x 16 3/4 inchesfrom the edition of 81 numbered and one additional proof
-
James McBeyPalos. Departure of Columbus, 1492, 1933signed and numbered VIII in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'Huelva' and dated September 1932 in plateetching10 x 17 3/4 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyEast River, Sunset, 1934signed and numbered LXIV in pen to margin; signed, inscribed 'New York' and dated March 1930 in plate; inscribed '80 proofs East River, Sunset' in pencil to sheetetching8 x 14 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
James McBeyPhoenician Coast, 1935signed and numbered XXXVI in pen to margin; signed and dated 1934 in plateetching8 1/2 x 12 1/2 inchesfrom the edition of 80 proofs
-
UnknownCeremonial dagger presented to James McBeyinscribed 'To James McBey / Souvenir of Egyptian Exp. Force 1917' to sheathengraved brass, steel and hardwood16 inches length
-
Marguerite McBeyLeningrad, 1968signed, titled 'Leningrad' and dated 1968watercolour9 ¼ x 6 ¼ inches
-
Marguerite McBeyFootball Matchsignedwatercolour9 ¾ x 13 ½ inches