Exeter Hall 1905

Joseph Pennell created "Exeter Hall" using etching, a printmaking technique that allows for a really graphic, linear quality. I imagine him drawing into the plate with the needle, scratching away to reveal the bones of the building, and then dunking it in acid. What I love is the contrast between the architectural facade of the building and the blurry hustle and bustle of the people around it. The surface of the print has this grainy quality that makes everything feel a bit like a dream. Pennell probably wanted to capture the feeling of modern life with these marks. You can see the influence of other etchers like Whistler, but also anticipate the urban landscapes of later artists. It’s like he's asking, "How do we make sense of the modern city, with all its layers and contradictions?" It makes me want to grab my own etching tools and start scratching!