View on the Spree, Berlin 1921

Joseph Pennell made this gorgeous print, View on the Spree, in Berlin using a whole host of marks. Look at the tonal variations and the way Pennell creates such a layered effect on the paper! He’s really pushing what you can do with ink. And notice how he’s letting some of the paper shine through! It’s like he’s whispering secrets, creating depth with light and shadow. I imagine Pennell wandering through Berlin, sketchbook in hand, looking for the perfect view. Maybe he felt the city’s pulse and wanted to capture it. You can almost feel him experimenting, trying to capture that moment in time. His lines feel so immediate and energetic that you are transported to that very moment. This print reminds me of Whistler's urban scenes, where they explore atmosphere and fleeting impressions. It is a dance of observation, reduction, and expression. It's a reminder that art is about seeing, feeling, and sharing your unique perspective, leaving room for others to find their own meaning within it.