Artwork
The Times Building
The Times Building is an ink print by Joseph Pennell. It dates from 1904 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Times Building is an etching created by Joseph Pennell in 1904, exemplifying his interest in urban architecture and industrial landscapes.
Technique & Style
Pennell employed drypoint technique, scratching lines into a metal plate and leveraging the rough edge created by the needle to hold excess ink, resulting in a scratchy, textured appearance.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a tall building with sharp edges set against a dark sky, conveying a sense of structural power and innovation, characteristic of the early 20th-century urban landscape.
Context
Pennell's work was influenced by his training under James Lambdin and Thomas Eakins, as well as the style of James McNeill Whistler, reflecting a refined approach to printmaking amidst the emergence of modern urban skylines.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
