Taking the Big Gun Away 1916

Joseph Pennell made this etching, "Taking the Big Gun Away," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It’s all about the process of mark-making, the density and direction of each line building up the image. Look closely, and you’ll see how Pennell uses the contrast between light and dark to create depth and drama. The texture is built up of tiny hatch marks, giving everything a kind of gritty feel. The sky almost looks like a storm is brewing, mirroring the industrial scene below. It’s amazing how he manages to convey so much with just black and white. The way the cranes loom over everything reminds me a bit of Piranesi, with his architectural fantasies, both artists capture a sense of awe and maybe a little bit of intimidation, at the scale of human endeavor. Art's not about fixed meanings, it’s about opening up a space for feeling and thought.