The Towers of Oil 1917

Editor: This is "The Towers of Oil" by Joseph Pennell. The plumes of smoke rising above those stark industrial forms create such a powerful, almost oppressive atmosphere. What strikes you most about this print? Curator: Well, the romantic industrialism on display here is definitely provocative, isn’t it? Pennell seemed almost seduced by the sheer scale of these oil works. The way he uses the etching to capture the billowing smoke is captivating, and yet it makes me think about the hidden costs, you know? The human and environmental impact lurking beneath the surface. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't fully considered. So, it's not just about admiring the aesthetics, but also questioning what it represents? Curator: Precisely. Perhaps Pennell saw beauty where others saw exploitation. Or perhaps he saw both. Art’s funny that way, isn't it?