Artwork
Submarines in Dry Dock
Submarines in Dry Dock is an ink print by Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1917, this lithographic print portrays a bustling shipyard where two submarines rest in a dry dock.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1917, this lithographic print portrays a bustling shipyard where two submarines rest in a dry dock. The vessels are supported on timber cradles amid a tangle of scaffolding, cranes, and piles of steel. In the distance, laborers navigate the space while additional ships and industrial buildings populate the scene, conveying the scale of early twentieth‑century naval construction.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the two submarines, one nearing completion and the other still incomplete, highlighting the stages of technological development.
The composition centers on the two submarines, one nearing completion and the other still incomplete, highlighting the stages of technological development. By emphasizing the machinery and the activity of workers, the image documents the intersection of industrial progress and maritime warfare, reflecting contemporary interest in modern infrastructure and the emerging role of submarines in naval strategy.
Technique & Style
Pennell employed the lithographic process, using swift, gestural lines that suggest movement and disorder within the shipyard. The sketch‑like quality of the drawing conveys immediacy, while the contrast of dark outlines against lighter areas defines the massive structures. This approach aligns with his broader practice of rendering architectural and industrial subjects with a focus on structural detail and atmospheric presence.
History & Provenance
American artist Joseph Pennell, trained under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins and influenced by James McNeill Whistler, produced the print during his European period when he concentrated on documenting modern urban and industrial scenes. The work forms part of his extensive output in etching and lithography, illustrating his sustained engagement with contemporary technological environments.
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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.
