King's College, Embankment Gate 1906

Joseph Pennell made this etching, King's College, Embankment Gate, at an unknown date. The image is built up of tiny marks, some straight, some curved, all building a dense, impressionistic image. You can see how the image is built from the bottom up, a dense square of tone that suggests the pavement in front of the gate. The surface is kind of velvety, it absorbs the light and creates a contrast with the blank paper around it. Look closely and you can see how he builds the image through the accretion of tiny, densely worked marks. The gate itself is a dark void, a thick black opening that contrasts with the intricate detail of the architecture above. Pennell was known for his etchings of urban landscapes, and you can see the influence of Whistler in his delicate, tonal approach. Like all good art, this piece leaves room for interpretation, inviting us to fill in the gaps and bring our own experiences to bear.