The Bridge of Alcantara, Toledo 1904

Joseph Pennell’s etching shows the Bridge of Alcantara in Toledo, Spain, made sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Look at the way the light falls on the stone, creating deep shadows and sharp contrasts. I wonder if Pennell felt the weight of history as he worked on this piece? The bridge isn't just a structure, it is a testament to human ingenuity and endurance. Those tiny, precise lines evoke the texture of the ancient stones, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. The tower looms large and imposing, a symbol of power and strength. The bridge and the tower seem to connect the past and the present. It's like Pennell is reminding us that we’re all connected to something bigger than ourselves. The architecture is the main event here, but it's not alone! The bridge stretches across time, and Pennell’s little drawing captures that feeling, that sense of history and continuity.