Coal Breaker on the River 1910

Joseph Pennell made this print, Coal Breaker on the River, using etching. This, for me, speaks to an understanding of artmaking as a process. Look at how the lines build up to create these hulking industrial structures and the churning sky. It's all about the texture and the way the light plays across the surface. You can almost feel the grit and grime of the coal breaker, smell the smoke. There's a real physicality to the image, created with such simple means. My eye is drawn to the way he’s described the clouds; they feel solid and imposing, pressing down on the scene. This reminds me of Whistler's industrial scenes, but with a bit more bite. It's not just about capturing a scene, it's about conveying a feeling, an atmosphere. And like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.