Cumberland Gate, Regent's Park 1905

Joseph Pennell made this print of Cumberland Gate using etching techniques, giving it a delicate, almost ghostly feel. It’s all about the process here, right? How can you capture a massive structure with such light, airy lines? Look at how Pennell uses the etching lines to define the architecture. It’s like he's sketching with acid. The columns and arches aren’t just solid forms; they’re built up with layers of tiny marks. Notice the contrast between the heavy shading around the archway and the open, almost empty foreground. That contrast gives the whole scene a kind of dynamic energy. This print reminds me of Piranesi's architectural fantasies, but with a softer touch. It's less about grandiosity and more about the quiet beauty of a city structure. Pennell invites us to see the familiar with fresh eyes, appreciating the process of looking.