Athens from the Tomb of Philopotes 1913

Joseph Pennell made this print, Athens from the Tomb of Philopotes, using etching and drypoint, but when it was made, I’m not sure. What strikes me is its monochromatic palette – the limited range of tones forces you to look closely at the relationships between form and line. Pennell's use of line is really intriguing. See how he varies the pressure and speed to create areas of depth and shadow, or lightness and space? It’s as though he is using line to sculpt the scene, or pull it from a dream. Notice the area around the Acropolis, the darkest part of the piece. The lines are more densely packed, creating a sense of weight and importance. The linear hatching suggests volume and gives the ancient ruins presence. For me, this piece has affinities with Piranesi's architectural prints. Both artists use the architectural form as a way of creating drama, but ultimately, it’s all about the artist’s hand moving across the plate.