St. Martin's Bridge, Toledo 1904

Joseph Pennell made this etching of St. Martin's Bridge in Toledo using delicate, precise lines, sort of like whispers on paper. It reminds me that artmaking is as much about the journey as the destination, a process of discovery. The texture in this print feels almost velvety, a result of the ink settling into the paper's fibers. Look closely at the way Pennell renders the water. Those tiny, chaotic lines capture the constant motion of the river, a stark contrast to the solid, stoic arches of the bridge. It's as if he's saying that even the most permanent structures are in dialogue with the fluid, ever-changing world around them. Pennell’s approach here makes me think a bit of Whistler, who also had a knack for turning landscapes into moodscapes. Ultimately, art is about conversation and exchange, an ongoing dialogue where each artist adds their unique voice.