Finishing Shells 1916

Joseph Pennell made this drawing, "Finishing Shells," with a real sense of urgency and immediacy. Look at the hatching marks, how they build up to create form, almost like he’s sketching with light and shadow. The whole scene is rendered with such raw energy. The textures! From the smooth, cold metal of the shells to the rough, industrial setting, you can almost feel the vibrations of the machinery. Pennell really captures the sheer scale and intensity of the factory floor. Notice the repetition of the shells lined up, contrasted with the figures working at their stations. There’s a rhythmic quality to it, like a visual score of labor and production. And the light! It pours in from somewhere above, illuminating the scene while also creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Pennell reminds me a little of Charles Sheeler, who also found beauty in the industrial landscape. Both artists show us that even in the most unlikely of places, there’s always something to see, to feel, to make art about.