The Colliery 1910

Joseph Pennell made this print, "The Colliery," using etching. It captures the overwhelming symbolism of the industrial age. The dominant visual element is the towering smokestack, reminiscent of obelisks in ancient Egypt, symbols of power and permanence. Here, however, the plume of smoke suggests not triumph, but a suffocating atmosphere. Consider how these forms have morphed through time - from ziggurats, minarets, pyramids, and now these stacks. They pierce the sky, but what message do they carry? The endless march of workers below evokes images of mass migrations in ancient times, or even the somber processions of mourners. The psychological weight of this image lies in the juxtaposition of human activity with these ominous forms. We are left to ponder: is this progress or a descent into a new kind of darkness? The cycle continues, with humanity's creations echoing primal fears and aspirations.