Down Sansom Street 1912

Joseph Pennell made this print, Down Sansom Street, sometime around 1912. It’s all about how lines can evoke space and atmosphere; a kind of seeing through drawing. Pennell uses a ton of hatched lines, criss-crossing all over the place, to build up the sense of depth, almost like he’s sketching in thin air. The paper is still super present, peeking through the marks. It’s like the drawing is breathing, letting the light come through the urban grit. Look at the way he captures the smoke billowing around the buildings – it's almost dissolving into the sky. The whole composition feels like a fleeting moment, a glimpse of the city’s energy. It reminds me of Piranesi's etchings, but with a softer touch. Both artists, though, share that love for the density and complexity of urban spaces. What’s so great about prints like this is how they aren’t trying to nail down one perfect image, but instead invite a kind of rambling, open-ended exploration.