Flatiron Building 1904

This is Joseph Pennell’s rendering of the Flatiron Building, made with pencil. You can see the smudgy strokes across the paper which make the Flatiron building appear to emerge from the paper. I can imagine Pennell, standing on the street, trying to capture this new, daring, and strange architecture. It would have been an exciting moment. The pencil marks are thick but precise, suggesting a quick yet deliberate approach. Look at the shadowy marks around the building. They seem to soften the building's sharp edges, like a memory or a dream. It reminds me of other artists who were similarly interested in the city, like the Ashcan School painters, who captured New York's energy. Pennell makes you feel as if you are right there, on the street. Ultimately, artworks, like conversations, evolve and grow over time. Each artist builds upon the work of those who came before, creating a rich, ongoing exchange of ideas and inspiration. There is no right way to respond, the best way is to trust your feelings.