Sogno Mio 1920

Joseph Pennell created this etching, ‘Sogno Mio’, sometime during his career which spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Pennell, an American expatriate, was deeply influenced by his travels in Europe, particularly Italy, where this scene is likely set. The print evokes a sense of nostalgia, or perhaps ‘saudade’, for a place that feels both familiar and distant. Pennell often depicted architectural scenes, capturing not just their physical appearance, but also their emotional resonance. Here, the building and garden are rendered with delicate lines, creating a dream-like quality, heightened by the title’s translation, 'My Dream'. Consider the historical context: Pennell lived through a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization. His choice to depict such idyllic scenes can be seen as both an escape from and a commentary on the changing world around him. The garden, a space often associated with leisure and privilege, invites reflection on class and access. It asks us to consider whose dreams are represented and whose are marginalized in the landscape of art.