Fine Art Framed
From $220
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
Woman in Green Dress Reading a Book - Edward Penfield
Regular price
$220.00 NZD
Sale price
$220.00 NZD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
Penfield's illustration of a woman in a green dress reading a book (c. 1895), one of his many variations on the reading-figure theme that defined his Harper's poster work. The green dress gives the image a springtime quality that would have suited a spring issue advertisement.
Historical context
Penfield produced dozens of reading-figure illustrations during his Harper's years, each varying the setting, costume, and season while maintaining the same core message: reading is an attractive, cultivated activity. The green dress likely corresponds to a spring issue, following the colour-coding system Penfield used to differentiate his monthly designs: warm tones for autumn, cool blues for winter, greens and florals for spring, whites and pale colours for summer.
These posters were designed to be interchangeable in their basic appeal while offering enough visual novelty to justify monthly display. Collectors who purchased the complete annual series would have noticed the seasonal progression through colour, costume weight, and setting, a built-in narrative that rewarded loyalty. The green dress stands out in this sequence as one of the more saturated spring colours Penfield used, giving this particular poster a stronger visual presence than some of his more pastel spring designs.
About Edward Penfield (1866–1925)
Often called the father of the American poster, Penfield served as art director of Harper's Magazine from 1890 to 1901, producing over 100 cover designs during that period. His style drew on Japanese woodblock printing and the French affiche tradition: flat areas of colour, bold outlines, and minimal detail. He became one of the most recognised illustrators of the American Art Nouveau movement, and his wartime posters remain some of the most widely studied examples of early 20th-century graphic propaganda.
This fine art reproduction is printed on museum-grade stock, faithful to the original's bold colours and graphic simplicity.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Complete The Look
Woman in Green Dress Reading a Book - Edward Penfield
Regular price
From $130.00 NZD
Sale price
From $130.00 NZD
Regular price
Fine Art Framed / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / Black frame
Artist Biography
Edward Penfield
Imagine shocking fin-de-siècle New Yorkers by boldly signing your posters – a radical act of self-promotion in an era when artists often remained anonymous. That was Edward Penfield, the 'Poster King,' who transformed American illustration with his striking designs. Penfield wasn't just creating advertisements; he was crafting miniature masterpieces that captured the spirit of a rapidly changing nation.
Penfield embraced simplicity and strong, flat colours, drawing inspiration from Japanese prints and the Arts and Crafts movement. Eschewing excessive detail, he focused on conveying the essence of a scene or product with minimal lines and bold compositions. His posters, often promoting *Harper's* magazine, exude a sophisticated charm and a distinctly American sensibility. Penfield's innovative approach to composition and colour made his work instantly recognisable and highly influential.
Today, Edward Penfield's posters are celebrated for their timeless appeal and graphic ingenuity. His ability to distill complex ideas into visually arresting images continues to inspire designers and artists. Collectors are drawn to Penfield's work not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its historical significance as a window into a bygone era of American optimism and artistic innovation. His prints add a touch of vintage elegance and graphic punch to any modern space.
Penfield embraced simplicity and strong, flat colours, drawing inspiration from Japanese prints and the Arts and Crafts movement. Eschewing excessive detail, he focused on conveying the essence of a scene or product with minimal lines and bold compositions. His posters, often promoting *Harper's* magazine, exude a sophisticated charm and a distinctly American sensibility. Penfield's innovative approach to composition and colour made his work instantly recognisable and highly influential.
Today, Edward Penfield's posters are celebrated for their timeless appeal and graphic ingenuity. His ability to distill complex ideas into visually arresting images continues to inspire designers and artists. Collectors are drawn to Penfield's work not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its historical significance as a window into a bygone era of American optimism and artistic innovation. His prints add a touch of vintage elegance and graphic punch to any modern space.
Made to order
Choose your finish
Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Canvas
From $130
Hand-stretched canvas with neat gallery-wrapped edges, giving the artwork surface texture and depth. Arrives ready to hang.
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