Artwork
The Big Mill, Gary, Indiana
The Big Mill, Gary, Indiana is an ink print by Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Big Mill, Gary, Indiana is a 1915 lithograph by Joseph Pennell, depicting an industrial scene in Gary, Indiana. Executed in black, the work showcases Pennell's fascination with the modern industrial landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph portrays a substantial wooden mill with prominent smokestacks emitting smoke that gradually disperses into the sky. The contrast between the mill's solidity and the ephemeral smoke may allude to the coexistence of industrial permanence and transient activity.
Technique & Style
Pennell utilized sharp, detailed lines to render the mill's structure, emphasizing the texture of individual nails and boards. Characteristic of early 20th-century lithography, the image would have been drawn on stone with a greasy crayon before being printed in reverse.
History & Provenance
Created in 1915, the work reflects Pennell's transatlantic career, balancing European influences (notably from James McNeill Whistler) with American subjects. Pennell's artistic and literary collaborations with his wife, Elizabeth Robins, are well-documented, though her direct involvement in this piece is not specified.
Context
The Big Mill, Gary, Indiana, can be contextualized within Pennell's broader oeuvre of urban and industrial landscapes. For comparative analysis, see other city scenes by the artist at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
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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.
