The Sentinel 1912

Joseph Pennell created "The Sentinel," a drawing that invites us into a landscape imbued with layered meanings. Pennell, working at the turn of the century, navigated a world of shifting social and industrial landscapes. The artist's choice to depict a solitary mountain as a "sentinel" speaks to a yearning for permanence amidst change. Yet, we must consider whose perspective shapes this idea of nature. Colonialism and expansion often framed landscapes as resources to be conquered or as symbols of national identity, obscuring the experiences and claims of indigenous peoples. In this context, Pennell's drawing can evoke feelings of both awe and unease. The rugged terrain and imposing peaks symbolize the vastness of nature but may also remind us of the power dynamics inherent in the act of claiming and representing land. "The Sentinel" stands as a reminder of our complex relationship with nature.