San Martín, Segovia c. 1903

Joseph Pennell made this print, San Martín, Segovia, using crayon, and it's all about the immediacy of seeing. You can feel the artist responding directly to the architecture and the people bustling about. What's so compelling here is the texture – the way Pennell coaxes so much variation out of a limited palette. Look at the sky; it’s like a storm front of smudged crayon, full of energy. Then there are the crisp, almost architectural lines defining the buildings, a real contrast. The eye is drawn to the fountain, a dark knot of marks suggesting movement and the play of light on water. You can almost hear the splash. Pennell was known for his cityscapes, often capturing the gritty details of urban life. In a way, he reminds me of Whistler, who also had a knack for finding beauty in the everyday, rendering a fleeting moment with a few deft strokes. Ultimately, this print celebrates the beauty of observation.