The Riveters
1917
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1917
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Riveters is a 1917 ink by Joseph Pennell, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a dimly lit factory interior with workers bent over machines. The air is thick with smoke and steam, and the floor is cluttered with tools and parts. Light streams in through high windows, casting sharp shadows on the riveters’ hunched backs. The artist used quick, scratchy lines to capture the urgency of the scene. The focus is on the workers’ hands and the heavy machinery, making the setting feel raw and real. Next, look up lithography to see how this print was made.
