1903
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Rainy Night, Charing Cross Shops is a 1903 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a busy street at night, soaked by heavy rain. Umbrellas dot the sidewalk as people hurry past shop windows. The buildings loom tall, their details lost in the downpour, while streetlights cast faint glows. Notice how the artist used quick, scratchy lines to show the rain’s movement—almost like the drops are still falling. The scene feels alive, even though it’s just ink on paper. Want to see more work like this? Check out technique: etching.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
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