Tail Piece from Michaelangelo's Faun 1883

Joseph Pennell made this ink on paper drawing, Tail Piece from Michaelangelo's Faun, likely at the turn of the 20th century. Pennell, though American, spent much of his career in London, where he was part of a circle that promoted printmaking as a fine art. Here, the evenness of the lines and careful rendering speak to the reproductive nature of this medium. Though unique, this drawing was likely made to be translated into a lithograph, etching, or other printed format. Pennell was deeply invested in this process, seeing it as a way to democratize art, taking imagery originally made by hand and disseminating it widely. The composition itself speaks to this intention. The strong symmetrical arrangement, combined with allegorical details, such as crossed staffs and floral motifs, suggests that it might have been used as an emblem or cartouche for an arts publication. Ultimately, the meaning of this artwork lies in its making, a fascinating intersection of craft, design, and social context.