The Last of the Scaffolding 1884

Joseph Pennell made this etching, "The Last of the Scaffolding," using metal plates and acid to create its fine lines. This was a thoroughly modern process at the turn of the 20th century, capable of capturing the dynamism of urban construction. Pennell's choice of subject matter enhances this effect. The scaffolding itself becomes a kind of ready-made sculpture, an armature that reflects the skeletal nature of the building under construction. Look closely, and you can see how Pennell uses line to suggest not just form, but also the weight and texture of the materials. The print celebrates the built environment, and by extension, the labor and capital required to create it. Pennell asks us to appreciate the beauty inherent in the transformation of raw materials into modern architecture. It's a reminder that even the most utilitarian structures have an aesthetic dimension, rooted in the skill and effort of those who make them.