Artwork
Bringing in the Gun
Bringing in the Gun 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
Joseph Pennell’s 1916 lithograph *Bringing in the Gun* depicts a dimly lit industrial interior dominated by a massive crane and a tangled mass of cables. The composition captures a moment of heavy machinery at work, rendered with a raw, sketch‑like quality that emphasizes texture and atmosphere over polished finish.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents a cluttered workshop where a towering crane looms over a dark, box‑shaped object, while a smaller wheeled machine lurks in shadow. The stark lighting and rough surfaces convey the gritty reality of early‑20th‑century manufacturing, suggesting both the power and the anonymity of industrial labor.
Technique & Style
Pennell employed quick, scratchy lines characteristic of his lithographic practice, allowing the tangled ropes and uneven floor to emerge with immediacy. The limited tonal range and loose handling create a sense of movement and spontaneity, echoing the influence of James McNeill Whistler’s tonal subtlety while retaining Pennell’s own graphic vigor.
History & Provenance
An American artist trained by James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins, Pennell spent much of his career in Europe, documenting landmarks and industrial scenes. *Bringing in the Gun* was produced during his mature period, reflecting his long‑standing interest in the machinery of modern life and his collaboration with his wife, writer Elizabeth Robins, on related publications.
Context
Created amid the rapid expansion of American industry during World War I, the lithograph aligns with Pennell’s broader body of work that recorded the era’s technological transformation. Its focus on a single, unembellished workshop scene offers a counterpoint to more celebratory depictions of progress, highlighting the often‑overlooked labor environment.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
