The Brussels Canal, A Modern Hobbema

Executed in traditional copper‑plate etching, the image relies on vigorous, irregular lines that suggest movement in the rising fumes and water’s surface. Pennell’s handling of light and shadow, as well as his preference for atmospheric effects, echo the tonal sensibilities of James McNeill Whistler, while retaining a distinctly American documentary impulse.

Pennell, an American expatriate who spent much of his career abroad, produced a series of prints documenting European industrial scenes. This work was created during his extensive travels in Belgium and reflects his broader interest in recording the built environment. It entered public collections in the mid‑20th century and has since been exhibited as part of surveys of early modern printmaking.