Gondel op een kanaal 1883

Joseph Pennell created this etching, "Gondel op een kanaal," showing a Venetian canal, with a gondola pulled up beside a building. Pennell was an American expatriate, closely involved with the art world in London at the turn of the 20th century. He became known for his prints showing the modern wonders of industry and infrastructure. Here, however, he looks backward to a traditional motif of European art – the canals of Venice. Note the way the image creates meaning through the romantic visual codes of light, reflection and old architecture. This wasn't just a depiction of a place; it was a commentary on the character of modernity. As an American artist, he also provides commentary on the way Europe related to its own past. Understanding this requires a look into publications of the time. Art criticism and exhibition catalogues contextualize the public role of art. Pennell's work emphasizes how art is contingent on social context.