1912
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Guard-Gate, Gatun Lock, Panama is a 1912 by Joseph Pennell, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This sketch shows a tangled mess of ships, cranes, and scaffolding inside a massive concrete lock. The lines are rough and overlapping, like a bird’s-eye view of a busy construction site. Dark shadows fill the corners, making the scene feel crowded and chaotic. The title hints this is a real place: a giant gate that holds back water for ships to pass. The artist packed in every beam, rope, and worker—no detail is left out. Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this sketch in person.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
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