St. Peters from the Pincian Gardens 1911

Joseph Pennell made this print of St. Peter’s from the Pincian Gardens with etching and drypoint. I can almost see him there, squinting in the Roman light. This print is all atmosphere, and a limited tonal range. Look how Pennell’s tiny, light strokes describe the figures receding into the distance. And then look at the dark, almost smudged marks that create the dense foliage of the trees. You can really feel the way he built up the image through layers of cross-hatching. I bet he wiped the plate with a cloth to soften the image and create that hazy, almost dreamlike feeling. It's like a memory, fading at the edges. Pennell knew Whistler, and you can see that influence here in the focus on tone and atmosphere over detail. It’s all about capturing a mood, and letting the viewer fill in the blanks. Artists always inspire each other to try new things, right?