Pennsylvania Excavation 1907

George Bellows made this painting, Pennsylvania Excavation, in the early 20th century with what looks like oil on canvas, a medium he knew well. It’s fascinating how the muted grays and blacks capture the grittiness of the industrial landscape. You can almost feel the weight of the smoke billowing up. Up close, you can see the paint is applied with such energy. The thick, choppy strokes of the brush make the whole scene feel alive. It's like Bellows wasn't just painting what he saw but also the sounds and smells of the excavation. Look at the way he renders the steam – it’s almost like a ghost. This reminds me a little of Turner and his fascination with light and atmosphere, but Bellows brings a distinctly American edge to it. I think you can really see the influence of the Ashcan School on his work here. To me, this painting is a celebration of labor, and a meditation on the changing American landscape.