Queen Anne's Mansions 1903

Curator: This etching, titled "Queen Anne's Mansions," was created by Joseph Pennell in 1903. It's part of the collection here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What strikes you first about this print? Editor: The atmospheric density. The stark buildings reach toward a hazy sky rendered in tight, energetic lines. The buildings look imposing. Curator: Pennell was quite taken with urban scenes. He felt that modern cities reflected the dynamism of the modern age. Queen Anne's Mansions, when it was completed in the 1880s, was one of the tallest residential buildings in London. Editor: I can see that—the lines almost vibrate with a sense of movement and verticality. Notice the strategic use of light and shadow to emphasize the buildings' structures, creating depth within a limited tonal range. The use of light in this print creates a hierarchy among shapes and emphasizes the grand scale of buildings. Curator: This print captures a period when London was undergoing massive changes. The introduction of taller buildings—enabled by advancements in steel construction—started to reshape the city’s skyline. Artists of this era became interested in depicting how people and cities change together. Editor: Look at the texture achieved through the etching technique—it gives a rough quality that emphasizes both the physical and fleeting presence of smoke and clouds as key figures within the composition, not just merely a backdrop to the architecture. Curator: It's worth noting Pennell’s role as an advocate for printmaking as a fine art during this period. Prints could be distributed widely and often served as visual commentary on modern life. Editor: Definitely. Considering the dense patterns of light, shadow and texture—Pennell not only captured a specific place but a fleeting visual experience as well. The eye is not simply viewing a cityscape, but actively discovering it within the lines of a city street. Curator: Well, it's fascinating how Pennell used this medium to encapsulate a pivotal moment in London’s architectural history. Editor: Yes, and his attention to details—from the architectural to the atmospheric—renders an ordinary street into a visual delight.