Eleusis, the Pavement of the Temple 1913

Joseph Pennell made this drawing, Eleusis, the Pavement of the Temple, using graphite, and it’s all about the drama of seeing. You know, it’s like Pennell is wrestling with the stone, trying to pull its weight and history onto the page. Look at how the graphite is layered, almost like he's building the temple himself, stroke by stroke. The lines aren't just outlines; they're like the weather, bearing down on the ruins. You can feel the grit and the texture of the ancient stones. See that dark patch on the cliff face? It’s like a shadow of the past, heavy with stories. It’s not just a dark area, but a presence, a reminder. Makes you think about Piranesi, doesn’t it? All those epic, crumbling structures. But Pennell brings a different kind of intimacy. It's less about grandeur and more about the quiet dialogue between the artist and the remnants of time. It's like they’re having a conversation in whispers, full of ambiguity and open to whatever we bring to it.