Cranes at Miraflores 1912

Curator: Here we have Joseph Pennell's "Cranes at Miraflores," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's overwhelmingly mechanical, almost oppressive. The stark lines and heavy shadows certainly convey a sense of industrial might. Curator: Pennell was deeply interested in the monumental scale of engineering projects. This print captures the Panama Canal's construction, a feat that fundamentally reshaped global trade. Editor: The etching process, though, elevates the industrial subject. It's not just about the engineering. Look at the texture, the way the ink catches on the paper, mimicking the grit of the construction site. It's about labor. Curator: Absolutely, and the image circulated widely, bolstering support for American ingenuity and progress. The politics of imagery were paramount. Editor: And the materiality—the copper plate, the acid—all contribute to how we experience the canal's impact. Food for thought. Curator: Indeed, seeing it through the lens of social progress as well as artistic practice offers a richer understanding.