London Over Embankment Gardens 1906

Joseph Pennell made this etching, "London Over Embankment Gardens," probably with copper plates, to create a black and white image of a cityscape. The lack of color creates a tonal image, the light and shade become more important. The image feels very textural; you can see the marks and lines which bring a depth to the piece. Look how the shading is built up to create solid shapes. Notice how the shading on the trees in the foreground is much denser than the buildings in the background. The artist is using the mark making to push the city far into the distance. The mark making on the clouds is different again, looser and more sketchy, perhaps suggesting they are moving. This piece makes me think of the work of Whistler; the same tonal approach and focus on cityscapes. Art is a conversation, each artist adds something new.