1910
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Coal Breaker on the River is a 1910 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a dark, crumbling building with a tall smokestack puffing faintly. In front of it, a smaller wooden structure sits by a riverbank, its roof sagging. The sky is heavy with clouds, and the whole scene looks worn, like it’s been forgotten. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show decay—notice how the buildings lean and the ground looks uneven. This style makes the scene feel real and gritty. Want to see more work like this? Check out lithography to learn how artists create prints like this one.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
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