The Foundations, Building a Skyscraper 1910

Joseph Pennell made this lithograph, "The Foundations, Building a Skyscraper," to capture the dynamism of early twentieth-century New York. The image plunges us into the cavernous depths of a construction site. Figures of men and animals toil amidst a forest of timber supports. Pennell was known for his images of industrial progress, and this one celebrates the skyscraper as a symbol of American ingenuity and ambition. But look closer. The print is dark and suggestive, its forms emerging from a shadowy void. Is this progress or exploitation? The workers appear anonymous, dwarfed by the scale of the project. The horses even more so. Consider the social conditions that made this building boom possible. Rapid industrialization, immigration, and the rise of corporate capitalism all fueled the construction of these towering structures. Pennell's image invites us to consider the human cost of progress. As historians, we can consult census records, labor statistics, and contemporary accounts to understand the realities of work in this period. The image asks us to consider, who really benefits?