William A Eskey (1891-1937) San Juan Capistrano Etching

Romantic view of San Juan Capistrano by the sensitive William A Eskey.

Born in Sistersville, WV on Aug. 21, 1891. Eskey fought in France during WWI and studied art there after the war. When he returned to the U.S., he settled in North Hollywood, CA. He made his first dry point etching in 1928 while a patient in the Veteran’s Hospital in San Fernando Valley. Much of his time was spent in Twentynine Palms where he owned 100 acres. A regular visitor to his ranch was actor Lionel Barrymore whom he introduced to etching. Trees were often the subject of Eskey’s etchings; he also created pen-and-ink designs and bookplates. He died of tuberculosis in North Hollywood on Aug. 28, 1937. Exh: Chicago Society of Etchers, 1928; Brooklyn Society of Etchers, 1928; Calif. PM Society, 1929; Laguna Beach AA, 1920s