The Square 1920

Joseph Pennell made this etching, The Square, using thin dark lines to suggest the soft light filtering through a canopy of trees. I love to imagine Pennell outside in the square with his copper plate, drawing tool in hand, carefully observing and responding to the scene before him. What would it have been like, working in a public space, capturing a sense of place and atmosphere with such delicate lines? It’s almost like he’s sketching with light itself, building up the image bit by bit. You can see the influence of Whistler in his work. Both artists had a similar interest in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life, and they both appreciated the understated beauty of tonal harmony. Artists learn so much from one another, don't they? It’s a wonderful thing to be part of a continuous exchange of ideas across generations. The Square is a little poem of a picture!