1910
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Foundations, Building a Skyscraper is a 1910 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a busy construction site at night. Workers are scattered around wooden scaffolding and piles of lumber. Tall masts and beams loom over the scene, while a few faint streetlights cast dim glow. The artist used quick, rough lines to show movement and chaos. The dark background makes the workers and materials stand out sharply. The focus is on the raw energy of building something big—like stacking blocks to reach the sky. Want to see more of this artist’s work? Check out Pennell, Joseph.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
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