English War Work: Fitting Guns in Turrets

Joseph Pennell

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image depicts a black and white sketch of an industrial scene. A large, dark-colored gun or cannon is being fitted into a turret. The gun is positioned horizontally, with its barrel extending to the right. It is suspended by a large metal beam and pulleys from the ceiling. In the foreground, several long, flat pieces of metal are visible on the floor. A group of people, likely workers, are gathered around the turret and gun, some standing on platforms or stairs. The background shows a large room with a high ceiling, exposed beams, and windows. The walls are made of brick or concrete. The artist's signature is visible in the bottom center of the image. The overall atmosphere suggests a busy and industrious setting, possibly a factory or shipyard during wartime, by Joseph Pennell.