Rose Window 1907

Joseph Pennell made this etching, “Rose Window,” using metal, acid, and ink. Etching is a printmaking process that uses acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Pennell was known for his skill as a draughtsman, and his prints often focused on architectural subjects. Look closely, and you can see that the velvety dark lines define the impressive gothic architecture of the cathedral and the more humble buildings in the foreground. The material quality of the print, with its tonal range and fine details, invites us to consider the relationship between the monumental and the everyday. The etching process itself involves a degree of labor and skill. Pennell would have carefully applied a waxy resist to the metal plate, drawn his image into the wax, and then immersed the plate in acid. This required careful control, and a deep understanding of the materials and techniques. Ultimately, Pennell’s etching invites us to appreciate the craft involved in its creation and the careful composition. It challenges any easy division between the "high art" of architecture and the "low craft" of printmaking.