Artwork
Bottling the Big Shell
Bottling the Big Shell is an ink print by Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bottling the Big Shell is a 1916 lithograph by Joseph Pennell, an American artist recognized for his industrial and urban landscape depictions.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bustling factory scene with workers, machinery, and a central large metal shell, implying the production of substantial industrial or military components, such as ammunition or large containers.
Technique & Style
Pennell employed loose, expressive lines and shading in this lithograph, characteristic of a rapid study, to convey the dynamism of the factory environment.
History & Provenance
Created in 1916, the work reflects Pennell's European-based practice, influenced by his training under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins, and association with James McNeill Whistler.
Context
Part of Pennell's broader exploration of industrial processes, this piece aligns with his collaborative spirit, though specifically executed without noted collaboration with his writer wife, Elizabeth Robins.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
