The Puerta del Sol, Madrid c. 1903

Joseph Pennell's "The Puerta del Sol, Madrid" (c. 1903) is a captivating depiction of the bustling Puerta del Sol, a major public square in Madrid, Spain. Executed in charcoal and watercolor, Pennell masterfully captures the energy and movement of the city. The dense crowd of people, the horse-drawn carriages, and the architecture of the square all contribute to a sense of urban life in the early 20th century. This work is a fine example of Pennell's signature style of urban sketching, characterized by its dynamic lines and atmospheric washes of color.