The Big Mill, Gary, Indiana 1914

Joseph Pennell made this artwork called 'The Big Mill, Gary, Indiana', using a monochrome palette to construct this industrial scene. Imagine him with his tools, maybe charcoal or ink, making marks that aren't just lines but breaths of an atmosphere. The density of marks around the mill makes me think of the sheer labor involved in its production, all that human effort—the grit, the heat, the relentless pace. I wonder if Pennell felt the same way, caught between awe and maybe a little dread? The way he renders the smoke, it's like the mill is exhaling its presence into the world, a very physical statement of its existence. Looking at this, I'm reminded of artists like the German Expressionists, who found beauty and terror in the modern world, too. Pennell is part of that tradition, showing us how industry shapes not just the landscape but also our emotions. It’s an ongoing conversation, really, about what we build, what it costs, and what it means.