Knightsbridge 1906

Joseph Pennell made this etching, Knightsbridge, using a metal plate to create a hazy vision of London. You can feel the atmospheric, almost blurry quality, which comes from the etching process and Pennell’s delicate touch. Look at how the ink sits on the surface, creating texture that softens the rigid architectural lines. The buildings loom, but not in a harsh way; they sort of shimmer. It's the kind of scene that feels both precise and dreamlike, right? I'm especially drawn to the lower-left corner, where you can see the intricate details of the carriages and figures. Those marks give the piece energy. Pennell reminds me a bit of Whistler. Both artists were interested in capturing the essence of a place through a personal lens. What is revealed is a sense of fleeting moments rather than definitive statements.