Standard Oil, Staten Island 1909

Joseph Pennell's 1909 etching "Standard Oil, Staten Island" is a striking depiction of the industrial landscape of New York City. The artist's use of tonal variations in the etching conveys the smoke and haze of the industrial plants, adding to the somber mood. The dramatic perspective, looking across the water towards a vast industrial complex, captures the scale and dominance of industrial development at the turn of the 20th century. This piece, like many of Pennell's works, reflects his interest in capturing the changing urban landscape.