Bottling the Big Shell
1916
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1916
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a busy factory floor with big machines and workers. The machines have belts, pulleys, and metal parts, and people are standing around them, some holding tools. A large metal shell sits in the middle, surrounded by equipment. The drawing is rough and sketchy, with lots of lines and shading to show the machines and movement. The title *Bottling the Big Shell* suggests this might be about making something big, like ammunition or containers. The artist used quick, loose lines to capture the scene, which feels more like a quick study than a polished drawing. If you like this style, look up lithography to see how artists create prints like this.
