Shot was painted by Joseph Pennell in 1916.

Where can I see Shot?

Shot is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Shot?

Museum-quality prints of Shot are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Shot

Joseph Pennell , 1916

Shot 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 *Shot* presents an urban night scene dominated by a central tower rising from water. The composition includes nearby trees, low‑lying buildings, and a dark sky punctuated by artificial lights. Rendered in muted grays and browns, the image conveys a somber yet lively atmosphere, emphasizing the interplay of architecture and illumination.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of nocturnal activity in a waterfront city, focusing on the tower as a beacon amid surrounding structures. The contrast between the dark water and the glowing windows suggests themes of industrial progress and the quiet persistence of urban life after dark, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between human-made forms and their environment.

Technique & Style

This method allowed him to achieve fine line work and subtle tonal variations, evident in the detailed rendering of the tower’s façade and the atmospheric sky.

Pennell employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a stone or metal plate before transferring the image to paper. This method allowed him to achieve fine line work and subtle tonal variations, evident in the detailed rendering of the tower’s façade and the atmospheric sky. The overall palette of grays and browns, combined with expressive, loosely rendered strokes, creates a sense of movement within the static medium.

History & Provenance

Created during Pennell’s later career, *Shot* reflects his long‑standing interest in European industrial and architectural subjects. The artist, trained under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins and influenced by James McNeill Whistler, produced the print while residing abroad. It was issued as part of his series of cityscapes, and copies have circulated among private collectors and institutional holdings since its publication in 1916.