1917
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Keel is a 1917 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a shipyard scene with a big wooden ship under construction. The hull sits on a frame of wooden supports, and workers are scattered around the area, some climbing the structure. The drawing is loose and quick, with lots of shading to show depth and texture. The artist focused on the messy, busy energy of building a ship—every beam and plank is sketched in fast, rough lines. It feels like a snapshot of real work, not a polished finish. Next, check out how this was made using lithography.
Joseph Pennell (July 4, 1857 – April 23, 1926) was an American draftsman, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator for books and magazines.
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