The Street of Cervantés and Lope de Vega, Madrid c. 1903

Joseph Pennell made this drawing of the Street of Cervantés and Lope de Vega in Madrid using pencil and crayon. Look at how he creates a sense of depth with these simple tools. It's all about the push and pull of light and dark, isn't it? The surface has this amazing, almost gritty texture, especially in the sky and the street, built up through layers of crayon marks, it gives it a real weight. It's so physical, you can almost feel the dust of the city. Then, in contrast, the buildings have these delicate, almost scribbled lines. Check out the balcony on the right. See how Pennell captures the ornate detail with just a few flicks of his wrist? It reminds me of Piranesi's architectural prints, that same fascination with the grandeur and decay of urban spaces. Both artists show us how cities are these ongoing, ever-changing conversations, built up layer by layer over time.