The Elinor Cross, in Front of Charing Cross Railway Station 1906

Joseph Pennell etched "The Elinor Cross, in Front of Charing Cross Railway Station" in 1900, using a monochrome palette that gives the scene a timeless feel. The artmaking process here seems immediate, almost as if Pennell was trying to capture a fleeting moment. The texture in this piece is amazing, especially the way Pennell suggests the bustling atmosphere of Charing Cross with these quick, scribbled lines. Look closely at the cross itself; see how the lines become denser, creating a sense of depth and detail. The rest of the scene is rendered with a lighter touch, almost like a watercolor, which makes the cross stand out even more. This contrast emphasizes the monument's imposing presence amidst the everyday chaos. Pennell's work reminds me a bit of Whistler’s etchings, where the focus is less on perfect representation and more on capturing a feeling or mood. Like Whistler, Pennell embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the scene.