Sunrise over the Acropolis
1913
Medium
lithograph
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.6979
Art Historical Context
Behold the ethereal beauty of *Sunrise over the Ac* (1913), a masterful lithograph by American artist Joseph Pennell.uring the ancient citadel of Athens bathed in the soft glow of dawn, this print evokes the timeless grandeur of classical Greece. Pennell, a prolific traveler and chronicler of architecture, drew inspiration from his journeys across Europe, rendering iconic landmarks with dramatic light and shadow to highlight their enduring majesty. As a lithograph—a printmaking technique pioneered in the late 18th century—Pennell's work showcases the medium's remarkable versatility. Using gre...
About the Artist
Joseph Pennell · 1857–1926
Joseph Pennell (1857–1926) was born in Philadelphia to Quaker parents and displayed an early aptitude for drawing, finding solace in sketching amid a challenging childhood. He received initial drawing instruction from James R. Lambdin and his first etching lessons from Stephen Ferris in 1879. Pennell attended night classes at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art before studying at ...