1913
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Facade of the Parthenon, Sunset is a 1913 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a crumbling stone building with tall columns, half buried in rocky ground. The steps leading up are broken, and the walls look worn and uneven. Shadows stretch long across the scene, making the whole thing feel quiet and empty. The artist used a rough, sketchy style that makes the ruins look like they’re fading away. It’s drawn in a way that feels almost like a quick study—less polished than a finished painting. Try looking up lithography to see how this print was made.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
See the richer artist page
