In the Land of Brobdingnag, the Armour Plate Bending Press 1917

Joseph Pennell created this print titled, In the Land of Brobdingnag, the Armour Plate Bending Press using lithography. There’s a real industrial feel, all hard lines and shadows, it really captures the process of creation. The monochromatic palette forces us to focus on form and texture, each mark building up a world of labor and machinery. I'm drawn to the way the light catches the edges of the metal and casts strong shadows. See the chaotic jumble of tools and materials at the bottom right, somehow they become a dance of form and function. It’s like Pennell’s saying something about the beauty, or maybe the brutality, of industry. You could compare this to some of the more architectural etchings by Piranesi, both artists have a knack for creating these epic, almost overwhelming spaces. I love the way art can take something as heavy as industry and turn it into something to ponder, something beautiful, or even a little bit scary.