Where can I see English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells?

English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Can I buy a print of English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells?

Museum-quality prints of English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells

Joseph Pennell , 1916

English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells 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

The scene conveys the intense atmosphere of wartime manufacturing, emphasizing the scale of production and the human presence within the mechanical environment.

Created in 1916, this print by American artist Joseph Pennell captures a dimly lit industrial interior where a massive machine dominates the composition. Workers are positioned around the apparatus, some engaged in labor, others observing. The scene conveys the intense atmosphere of wartime manufacturing, emphasizing the scale of production and the human presence within the mechanical environment.

Subject & Meaning

The work documents a wartime shell‑rolling operation, illustrating the physical labor required to supply ammunition during World War I. By focusing on the workers and the hulking machinery, Pennell highlights the collective effort and the gritty reality of industrial warfare, offering a visual record of the nation’s manufacturing contribution to the conflict.

Technique & Style

Pennell employs strong chiaroscuro, allowing the glow of the machine and limited artificial light to carve out forms in deep shadow. This contrast creates a sense of depth and dramatizes the scene, guiding the eye toward the central apparatus. The print’s linear precision reflects his background in etching and lithography, while the composition retains a narrative quality typical of history painting.

History & Provenance

Pennell, trained under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins and influenced by James McNeill Whistler, spent much of his career in Europe, often collaborating with his wife, writer Elizabeth Robins, on art criticism. *English War Work: In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells* was produced during his wartime period and remains a testament to his focus on documenting industrial processes amid global conflict.