Arch of Bridge of Alcantara 1904

Joseph Pennell made this etching of the Arch of Bridge of Alcantara at an unknown date, using an etching plate and etching ink. Pennell's mark-making is really something. It's all in these tiny, etched lines, like he’s scribbling with light. Look at the way he builds up the texture of the stone in the arch. See how the shadows dance? It’s not just about showing us what’s there; it’s about how it *feels* to look at something monumental. That dark smudge in the bottom right corner feels so spontaneous, almost accidental. It pulls your eye down, anchors the whole image. And the reflection in the water? It’s like the bridge is dreaming of itself. Think of Whistler, who also used etching to capture a sense of fleeting beauty and lived experience. Pennell's piece isn’t just a picture of a bridge, it's an invitation to see the world in layers, to find the poetry in the everyday.