1916
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Making Pig-Iron is a 1916 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a busy ironworks scene with workers and heavy machinery. The main focus is a large furnace and a crane lifting molten metal. People stand around, some watching, others working, while smoke and steam fill the air. The drawing is rough and fast, with lots of dark lines and shading. The artist focused on the gritty details of industry, showing both the machines and the people who run them. The rough edges make it feel like a quick snapshot of a noisy, hardworking place. If you like this style, check out lithography to see how it’s made.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
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