Artwork
The Temples on the Wall, Girgenti
The Temples on the Wall, Girgenti 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
Overview
The work exemplifies Pennell’s long‑standing practice of documenting architectural landmarks during his extensive periods living and traveling in Europe.
Created in 1913, *The Temples on the Wall, Girgenti* is a lithographic print by American artist Joseph Pennell. The image records a pair of ancient stone structures perched on a rugged hillside, their forms rendered with a loose, sketch‑like quality. The work exemplifies Pennell’s long‑standing practice of documenting architectural landmarks during his extensive periods living and traveling in Europe.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents two weathered edifices—one with a row of columns, the other a flat‑topped building accessed by steps—set against a stark, craggy backdrop. The minimal sky and the emphasis on texture suggest a focus on the permanence of stone architecture amid a mutable natural environment, reflecting Pennell’s interest in the dialogue between built heritage and landscape.
Technique & Style
Pennell employed the lithographic process, drawing directly with ink on a flat limestone surface rather than applying pigment to canvas. This method yields lines that retain a slightly uneven, tactile character, contributing to the work’s sketch‑like appearance. The print’s tonal restraint and emphasis on line echo the influence of his earlier studies with James Lambdin, Thomas Eakins, and the atmospheric sensibilities of James McNeill Whistler.
History & Provenance
Pennell, trained under prominent American teachers and later active in European artistic circles, produced the print during a period when he was systematically recording notable structures across the continent. While specific ownership details are sparse, the piece forms part of his broader oeuvre of architectural lithographs that were widely circulated among collectors and institutions in the early twentieth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
