The Waterworks 1920

Joseph Pennell made this etching, called *The Waterworks*, on a plate sometime before 1926. Isn't it something? It feels like a memory, or maybe a dream, of a place. Pennell's mark-making is fascinating. It’s all about the process here, about how the lines come together to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. You can almost feel the dampness in the air! The texture is so important in this piece. Look at the way he’s built up the layers of ink to create a sense of depth and shadow. Then there's the area with the most line work at the front. You can almost feel him dragging the etching tool across the plate, scraping away at the surface to reveal the image beneath. This reminds me a little of Piranesi, who also loved to depict grand architectural spaces with a sense of drama and decay. But where Piranesi was all about the spectacle, Pennell is more interested in the quiet beauty of everyday life. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be loud or flashy to be powerful. It can be subtle, intimate, and deeply personal.