Within the Furnaces 1916

Joseph Pennell made this print, Within the Furnaces, with ink on paper. The method here is all about lines. Lines describe, and they also suggest atmosphere; you can feel the heat rising from the factory floor. It’s this intense, almost feverish energy that really grabs me. Up close, the textures are so rich. Look at how Pennell uses these frantic, scribbled lines to build up the image. The frenetic mark-making perfectly captures the grit and grime of the industrial setting. Notice how he doesn’t hold back, letting the lines overlap and bleed into each other? This adds to the overall feeling of chaos and intensity. This reminds me of Piranesi and his prints of fantastical prison interiors. Ultimately, I think this piece is a testament to the power of process. It's not about perfection, it's about energy, immediacy, and raw emotion. Art should be a conversation, and I’m happy to be a part of it.