Coal Wharves, Staten Island, No. II 1909

Joseph Pennell made this etching called 'Coal Wharves, Staten Island, No. II' with ink on paper. Pennell's lines are all about capturing the industrial energy of the coal wharves, they feel spontaneous, full of movement. It’s like he’s trying to grab the scene, to make it come alive with all its grit and grime. Look closely at the way he uses those fine lines to build up the scene. Some are light and airy, suggesting the smoke, while others are darker, thicker, giving weight to the cranes and buildings. Notice the area around the cranes on the left side, how the dense network of lines creates depth, almost like you can feel the weight of the metal. It’s these contrasts that give the etching its dynamism, its sense of place. You could see a similar thing happening with Whistler's etchings of the Thames. Both were masters of capturing a moment in time, making the mundane beautiful. Ultimately, it reminds us that art doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.