The Commuters 1919

Joseph Pennell made this print, The Commuters, and it’s got this crazy cool shadowy scene. I can only imagine him, totally mesmerized by all the dark atmosphere and dramatic lighting. It’s just masses of folks waiting for a train. And it's so suggestive, you can almost hear the hissing steam and feel the anticipation in the air. Pennell’s really playing with light here. See how the smoky shadows create a sense of depth and mystery? It’s like a stage, right? With the commuters as the actors in this urban drama. This print reminds me of other artists from the time, like Whistler, who were also into capturing the fleeting moments of modern life. They all inspire one another, sharing a passion for painting the world around them. Painting, for me, is this constant back-and-forth, this ongoing conversation across time. What does it make you think of?