The Cliffs of West Street, New York

As suggested by the print’s title, Pennell saw skyscrapers as man-made mountains constructed by the great steelworks he so admired. From a distance these structures lack individuality and become massive, looming mounds. Pennell’s low view point emphasises their height and dominance. The sandpaper aquatint technique removes the linear quality usually present in an etching and replaces it with large simple forms that enhance the reflected light.