At the Bottom of Gatun Lock, Panama 1912

Editor: Here we have Joseph Pennell's "At the Bottom of Gatun Lock, Panama," a print from around the turn of the century. I'm struck by how the artist captures the sheer immensity of the lock under construction. What's your take on this work? Curator: Pennell's print serves as a powerful document of American industrial ambition and its global impact. The Panama Canal was a symbol of progress, but also of American interventionism. Does the print make you consider the human cost? Editor: It does now that you mention it. The tiny figures emphasize the colossal scale, but also the labor involved. It’s almost a romanticization of industry, isn't it? Curator: Precisely. Consider the era’s fascination with technology and the narrative of man conquering nature. Pennell's print is a product of its time, reflecting both pride and a certain blindness to the socio-political implications. Editor: So, it's not just a picture of a construction site; it's a statement about power and perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Seeing art through its historical lens always adds new layers of meaning.