Not Naples 1921

Editor: This etching, "Not Naples" by Joseph Pennell, made in 1921, seems almost like a snapshot of urban chaos. It’s crammed with detail – signs, people, buildings – all swirling together. What kind of story do you think Pennell is trying to tell? Curator: That urban chaos is precisely the story. Pennell, like many artists of his time, was captivated by the dynamism of modern city life. Look at how the archway frames the teeming masses; it’s not simply an architectural feature, but a symbol. Arches often signify transition, passage… think about triumphal arches, gateways to new experiences. Editor: So the arch could be about entering a new, modern world? Curator: Precisely! And notice the signs plastered everywhere - "Drink Apenta," "Maria"... These aren't just advertisements; they're fragments of the cacophony of modern life. Pennell seems less concerned with pristine realism, and more focused on capturing the energy of a specific place in time. What feeling do you get from it? Editor: Definitely a sense of bustling energy, but also maybe a little… overwhelming? There’s so much to take in. Curator: That's a key element. The modern city, as it rapidly grew, was often perceived as overwhelming and disorienting. The print evokes that psychological effect; we’re adrift in a sea of information, just like the crowds he depicted. What's compelling to me is Pennell's choice to title it "Not Naples", seemingly invoking an older vision of place while actually depicting modernity. Why do you think he would have chosen that? Editor: Maybe he’s suggesting that even with all this newness, there's still a sense of timelessness or perhaps universality to the human experience in cities. Or even that there is a little bit of Naples in all of our cities. Curator: An intriguing way to interpret it! I now look at how the lines create almost a sense of movement throughout the etching, constantly drawing the eye to different areas. I had not focused on this previously, thank you! Editor: This was helpful in helping me understand what the painting and artist meant.