Sunset, from Williamsburg Bridge 1915

Joseph Pennell created this etching, ‘Sunset, from Williamsburg Bridge,’ capturing an industrial view of New York. Pennell, born in 1857, came of age during America’s transition from agrarian society to industrial powerhouse. Here, the artist presents us with a skyline punctuated by factories and skyscrapers, and a river busy with ships, all rendered in delicate lines. But Pennell wasn't simply documenting the modern city; he was actively shaping its image. During this period there was a popular narrative of progress, where industry and urbanization symbolized advancement. Pennell's choice to depict the city from the Williamsburg Bridge, a relatively new structure at the time, reinforces this idea. The bridge, a marvel of engineering, becomes a vantage point from which to admire the achievements of industrial society. Yet, there's also a sense of melancholy in this sunset scene. The sky, rendered with soft gradations, evokes a feeling of transience. "One is carried away by the wonder", Pennell said of cityscapes like this one. This print invites us to consider the complex relationship between progress, change, and the human experience.