Old and New Mills, Valenciennes 1910

Joseph Pennell created the etching, "Old and New Mills, Valenciennes" at a time of immense transformation in Europe. Pennell, an American expatriate, captures this tension by juxtaposing the antiquated form of a windmill with looming factories. The etching presents a distinct vision of modernity marked by the cost of industrial progress. The belching smokestacks are a sign of ecological change. But they also signify a shift in labor and community structures. As people migrated to urban centers for work, traditional rural life was disrupted. Pennell was interested in the visual drama of industrial sites. Yet, one can't help but wonder about the human stories behind these rapidly changing landscapes. What was gained, and what was lost as new industries emerged and reshaped the world? This print invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between progress and nostalgia. It reminds us to consider whose stories are told, and whose are overlooked in the grand narratives of history.