The West Street Building from the Singer Building 1908

Joseph Pennell's 1908 etching, "The West Street Building from the Singer Building," depicts a bird's-eye view of the bustling cityscape of New York City. The detailed lines capture the architectural density of the Lower Manhattan skyline, with the imposing Singer Building taking center stage. The etching's composition highlights the dynamism of the city, with a focus on the interplay of buildings and streets, as well as the activity of the harbor in the background. Pennell, a leading figure in the American Etching Revival, utilized the expressive nature of etching to showcase the urban landscape in its raw form. This work, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to the artist's ability to capture the essence of a rapidly changing metropolis.