Open full image Pin

Valley of Desolation

Joseph Pennell

1910

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern Landscape world war i

Dominant colour

Valley of Desolation is a 1910 ink by Joseph Pennell, depicting world war i, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Joseph Pennell
When & what style?: 1910
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This lithograph shows a deep, rocky valley with jagged cliffs and a winding river below. The shadows are sharp and the light feels cold, like early morning or late afternoon. It’s one of the few prints Pennell made without a crowd or city. Most of his work shows busy streets or famous landmarks. Here, the silence feels louder than any noise. Compare his detailed lines to Rembrandt’s etchings.