At the Bottom of Gatun Lock 1912

Joseph Pennell’s “At the Bottom of Gatun Lock” is a work that transports us to the Panama Canal during its construction, a time when engineering ambition met human endeavor. Pennell was deeply interested in the monumental scale of industrial projects. Here, the Gatun Lock, a critical part of the canal's infrastructure, is depicted with its immense scale and the tiny figures of the workers, mainly of Afro-Caribbean descent, who were essential to the canal's construction. The print subtly raises questions about labor, race, and the human cost of progress. The stark contrast between the heavy shadows and the bright sky emphasizes the depth and scale of the lock, and the emotional impact of this juxtaposition leaves us with a sense of awe and solemnity. Pennell invites us to reflect on the complex legacy of the Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering built on the backs of countless laborers.