The Guard Gate, Gatun Lock

Joseph Pennell

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an industrial construction site. The scene shows a busy site with scaffolding, machinery, and structures in progress. The layout is vertical, with large cranes in the background and various lines drawing the eye towards the horizon. Heavy use of lines and shadow creates a sense of motion and industriousness, with smoke and steam adding to the activity. The drawing gives an impression of the construction of a large infrastructure, such as a lock or dam, with engineering elements featured prominently. The detailing is precise, capturing the organization and chaos of a major engineering project.