George Pearse Ennis (American, 1884-1936) "Forging a Gun Tube #2"

Oil on canvas. Signed (lower left).

Ennis created a series of paintings for Bethlehem Steel Works in 1918.

Twenty-eight drawings and watercolors were first exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery in November, 1918. The oil paintings were on exhibit at the Sherwood Studios (NYC) in December 1918. The oils included Forge of Vulcan, Forging the Guns, Proving the Guns, Blowing Steel, Pouring Moulds, Ore Beds, Blast Furnaces, and Forging Torpedo Heads.

These works were created to highlight the role of American industry in the war effort (WWI).