Harper’s May 1895

Edward Penfield created this poster, "Harper's May," around 1897, using lithography, a printmaking process that relies on the skillful layering of colors. It was a typical process for magazine covers at the time. Lithography allowed Penfield to achieve flat, bold colors and crisp lines, perfectly suited for the Art Nouveau style he employs here. Notice how the colours and shapes are carefully delineated. Penfield’s success lay in his simplification of form and his emphasis on design over detail. The lettering and the shapes are bold, but the picture is more delicate. The poster's mass production reflects the rise of consumer culture at the turn of the century. The image itself hints at the upper class, with its fashionable woman. The use of lithography enabled the widespread distribution of art, blurring the boundaries between commercial design and fine art.