The Tower Bridge, Evening 1905

Joseph Pennell created this etching, "The Tower Bridge, Evening," at the turn of the 20th century. Pennell, an American expatriate, was deeply influenced by the aesthetic and social currents of his time, particularly the rise of industrialization and its impact on urban landscapes. Here, the Tower Bridge emerges from a smoky haze, evoking both the grandeur and the grim realities of modernity. The dark tones and stark contrasts capture the emotional weight of an era marked by rapid change and social disparity. Pennell was celebrated as "the most modern of the moderns" so he likely wanted to depict how modernity impacted the British. What I find so compelling about this work is its ability to distill the complicated emotions surrounding progress, and how it shapes our perception of the world. It serves as a window into the past, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of a society on the cusp of a new century.