Under the Bridges, Chicago 1910

Joseph Pennell created this aquatint etching, titled "Under the Bridges, Chicago," using metal plates and acid to produce its distinctive tonal range. The aquatint captures the grimy atmosphere of industrial Chicago. Pennell's focus is on the built environment – bridges, factories, smokestacks – all rendered in somber tones. The dense network of lines and textures suggests the complex and often harsh realities of urban life, and the labor connected with it. Aquatint as a medium is labor intensive, demanding meticulous work at every stage. The artist’s hand is evident in the careful layering of tones, building up a rich, atmospheric image. This print is not just a depiction of a place, but a commentary on the social and economic forces that shaped it. By focusing on the industrial landscape, Pennell prompts us to consider the human cost of progress. Ultimately, this print challenges us to see the beauty and the brutality of the modern world, and the role of craft in making both visible.