Artwork
English War Work: Bringing in the Gun
English War Work: Bringing in the Gun is a print by Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
English War Work: Bringing in the Gun is a 1916 print by Joseph Pennell, depicting a bustling shipyard scene in black and white. The artwork highlights the industrial activity of preparing ships for war.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates the intense war effort in a shipyard, with cranes loading heavy equipment onto a vessel amidst a backdrop of buildings and machinery. The scene conveys the chaos and energy of wartime industrial production.
Technique & Style
Pennell employed quick, loose strokes and chiaroscuro, leveraging strong contrasts of light and shadow to create a dramatic, dynamic atmosphere. The rough, sketchy lines and smudges add to the overall sense of industrial darkness.
History & Provenance
Created in 1916 by American artist Joseph Pennell, the work is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Pennell's style was influenced by James McNeill Whistler and shaped by his training under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
