Tower Bridge, Evening

Joseph Pennell

The Tower Bridge was built in London as a second option to the London Bridge to cross the River Thames. Designed by City Architect, Sir Horace Jones, the bridge took 8 years to build, opening in 1894.

The bridge consists of two towers tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways, designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. The vertical component of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers. The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower.

In this glowing, atmospheric impression Pennell depicts the bridge at twilight, including some of the docks along the Thames to the right. In a nod to his mentor, J.A.M. Whistler he has trimmed the top and side margins, leaving a larger bottom margin, on which he pencil signed his name.

This impression was purchased in the early 1920's at Albert Roullier gallery, Chicago, IL (label included).