The Shining Rocks, Delphi 1913

Joseph Pennell made this print, The Shining Rocks, Delphi, using etching, most likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Pennell's focus on the imposing landscape and the small scale of human presence speaks to the changing social and cultural status of ancient sites like Delphi during this period. Once places of pilgrimage and local tradition, they were becoming tourist destinations, seen as picturesque vistas. The print's emphasis on light and shadow, along with its dramatic composition, echoes the aesthetic values of the time, which were often tied to ideas of national identity and cultural heritage. Pennell, as an American artist, was likely drawn to Delphi as a symbol of European civilization and artistic inspiration. To understand this work better, we can look at travel guides and promotional materials from the time. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.