Falls Station 1919

Joseph Pennell’s Falls Station is an etching made with ink on paper. Just imagine the artist, scraping away at the plate, coaxing light and shadow from a complex scene. There’s a train, tiny figures, even a rainbow hovering above the falls. It's like a dreamscape, where industry meets the sublime forces of nature. I wonder, what was Pennell thinking as he etched each line? Was he trying to capture the excitement of travel, or the sheer power of the falls? Maybe both. Look closely, and you’ll see how the delicate lines create a sense of depth and movement. It’s like he’s inviting us to step into this moment, to feel the mist on our faces and hear the rumble of the train. Like so many artists before and after, he makes us feel like we are there with him, present and in the moment of creation.