Boston Stump

Art Historical Context

Kerr Eby's *Boston Stump* (1926) captures the iconic tower of St. Botolph's Church Boston, Lincolnshire, England soaring Gothic landmark affectionately nicknamed the "Stump for its massive, unfinished appearance rising dramatically from the fens. This etching housed in the Smithsonian American Art, reflects Eby's masterful eye for architectural grandeur and atmospheric mood, drawing from his travels across New England and Europe during the interwar years. As a leading American printmaker of the early 20th, Eby excelled in graphic arts, particularly etching, a technique that allowed him to render intricate details like the church's weathered stone and misty horizons with remarkable precision and tonal depth. His realistic style, honed through studies at the Art Students League and wartime sketches, elevated prints from mere reproductions to evocative artworks, bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. This piece not only showcases Eby's technical prowess—evident in the subtle aquatint effects mimicking Lincolnshire's foggy skies—but also highlights the cultural allure of medieval English churches as symbols of endurance. Donated to the Smithsonian by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Katz, *Boston Stump* invites visitors to ponder how a distant tower could inspire an American artist to celebrate timeless human aspiration through the intimate medium of print.

About the Artist

Kerr Eby · 1889–1946

Kerr Eby (1889–1946) was a Canadian-born American printmaker and painter who became one of the most accomplished etchers of his generation and a powerful chronicler of the experience of war. Born in Tokyo to Canadian parents, he grew up in New York and studied at the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League under George Bridgman. Eby volunteered for service in World War I and saw action in Fra...