Harper’s [for] April 1890

Edward Penfield created the poster, Harper’s [for] April, to advertise the magazine around the turn of the century during the American Gilded Age. Penfield was a leading figure in the American poster movement. His work offers a glimpse into the idealized aesthetics and societal values of the time. The poster portrays a confident, well-dressed man, perhaps an artist or intellectual. He is smoking a pipe and holding what seems to be a portfolio. His attire reflects the upper-class fashion of the period. The image suggests leisure and contemplation. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mass media and advertising began to play a crucial role in shaping cultural norms and aspirations. Penfield's posters contributed to constructing and reinforcing images of the ideal American man. This image serves as both a reflection of its time and an active participant in shaping cultural identity. It invites us to consider how perceptions of masculinity and class are visually constructed and circulated.