Artwork
Temple over the Canon, Segesta
Temple over the Canon, Segesta is an ink print by Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This lithograph shows the ancient Doric temple in Segesta, Sicily, sitting high on a hillside.
This lithograph shows the ancient Doric temple in Segesta, Sicily, sitting high on a hillside. The sky is full of dramatic clouds and the temple glows in soft light.
It was made in 1913 by Joseph Pennell, an American artist who loved old ruins and grand views. He used a printing method called lithography, where ink sticks to greasy marks on stone.
If you like this, try another lithograph by Pennell, Joseph.
Overview
Joseph Pennell’s 1913 lithograph, titled *Temple over the Canon, Segesta*, presents a view of the ancient Doric temple perched on a Sicilian hillside. The composition is dominated by a sky heavy with clouds, while the stone structure is illuminated by a gentle, diffused light that emphasizes its classical form.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures the ruined temple of Segesta, a relic of Greek architecture in Sicily, set against a dramatic landscape. By placing the edifice atop a rise, Pennell underscores the enduring presence of antiquity within a natural setting, inviting contemplation of the passage of time and the dialogue between human construction and the environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the work relies on the principle of ink adhering to greasy marks on a flat stone surface. Pennell’s line work balances precise architectural detail with broader tonal washes, creating a contrast between the crisp outlines of the temple and the atmospheric rendering of the sky, a method reminiscent of his Whistler-influenced approach to tonal harmony.
History & Provenance
Created in 1913, the print emerged during Pennell’s mature period when he was traveling extensively in Europe and the Mediterranean. The work was likely produced for the American market, where his prints of historic sites were popular among collectors interested in travel and architectural subjects.
Context
Pennell, an American draftsman trained by James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins, was part of a generation that documented European landmarks through printmaking. His collaboration with his wife, writer Elizabeth Robins, on travel literature and criticism reflects a broader cultural interest in the early twentieth century in preserving and interpreting historic ruins for a transatlantic audience.
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Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
