Edward Penfield

American, 1866–1925

Edward Penfield (1866–1925) was an American illustrator active during the Golden Age of American Illustration and was regarded as the father of the American poster. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at the Art Students League in New York and worked for Harper's Weekly, eventually becoming its art director. Penfield developed a distinct style featuring simplified figures and bold outlines, and his posters used simple shapes and limited colors suited to reproduction methods of his time. He lived in New Rochelle, helped found the New Rochelle Art Association in 1912, and published the book Holland Sketches in 1907.

Sources: Wikipedia (en): Edward Penfield · Wikidata Q2912571

138 artworks

A group of determined young women in khaki coats and broad-brimmed hats march alongside a workhorse, holding farming tools.

The Girl on the Land Serves the Nation's Need; apply Y.W.C.A. Land Service Committee

Edward Penfield

A poised gentleman holding a cigarette leads a horse with a white blaze against a stark black background.

Black & White Cigar

Edward Penfield

A man in a waistcoat leans out of a window, gazing at the night sky with open arms, framed by shutters and a deep violet background.

The Martian

Edward Penfield

Posters in Miniature

Edward Penfield

A girl with yellow hair and a red bow holds a calico cat while standing by a tall-backed chair.

Calendar: April, May, June 1897

Edward Penfield

Two figures stroll through a windswept field under a bold sun-like disk.

Calendar: July, August, September 1897

Edward Penfield

Joan of Arc in Harper's April

Edward Penfield

A confident woman in a black dress stands against a pale sky, holding a magazine under her arm.

Harper's August 1894

Edward Penfield

A woman in a white dress walks with a book, a dog at her feet, and an empty rocking chair adorned with roses nearby.

Harper's June 1897

Edward Penfield

A young golfer stands poised before action, dressed in vermilion and argyle, with a rural landscape behind him.

Harper's April 1898

Edward Penfield

A man in a white suit and red waistcoat is reading against a cream background.

Pastime Stories

Edward Penfield

A man in a yellow suit and bowler hat stands confidently against a stylized Manhattan skyline.

Vignettes of Manhattan

Edward Penfield

A poised baseball player in a Cornell uniform, captured in a moment of anticipation before swinging the bat.

Cornell Baseball

Edward Penfield

A man stands with an arm raised in front of a stylized explosion, advertising dynamite.

Aetna Dynamite

Edward Penfield

Scribner's for January

Edward Penfield

A confident rider on a horse strides through a sunlit landscape, with bold text reading 'HARPER'S JUNE' above.

Harper's June 1898

Edward Penfield

A woman in a red rocking chair, wearing a white blouse and yellow hat, holding a magazine.

Harper's September 1894

Edward Penfield

A distant man atop a cliff gazes out to sea, while a woman below carries a bundle and a fishing net, her head wrapped in an orange scarf.

The Exiles and Other Stories

Edward Penfield

Two panels depicting rural life in July and August, featuring hay wagons, horses, and a stone bridge.

Beck Calendar 1918: July and August

Edward Penfield

Three cyclists in 1890s attire, including a red dress, pedaling forward against a plain background.

Bicycle Road Maps in Harper's Round Table

Edward Penfield

A young man in a dark overcoat and bowler hat extends a bill to a clerk behind a subscription counter.

Harper's January 1894

Edward Penfield

Two elegantly dressed figures in winter coats interact while holding a magazine.

Harper's January 1895

Edward Penfield

A woman in a red coat stands on a wintry porch with a small dog at her side.

Harper's Christmas 1896

Edward Penfield

A lion stands upright holding a magazine, with a small calf nearby, set against a simple background.

Harper's March 1894

Edward Penfield

A woman calmly holds two cats, one ginger and white, the other black and white, against a simple background.

Harper's May 1896

Edward Penfield

Harper's May 1895

Edward Penfield

A horse gazes between two elegantly dressed figures, one in a green cloak and the other in evening dress.

Harper's November 1895

Edward Penfield

A woman in a pale dress stands between a soldier and a gentleman, surrounded by a crowd in various hats and uniforms.

Our English Cousins

Edward Penfield

A lithograph depicting a parade of New York faces, each figure turned away, showcasing their distinct attire and expressions.

People We Pass

Edward Penfield

A lithographic poster featuring a caricature of Mark Twain with bold colors and text.

Stirring Times in Austria: Harper's March

Edward Penfield

A soldier in a pale uniform stands still with an upright rifle against a geometric background.

The German Struggle for Liberty: Harper's July

Edward Penfield

A woman in a tailored dress reading in a yellow rowboat, with a muscular oarsman in a striped singlet.

Harper's June 1894

Edward Penfield

A young girl in a white dress holds ribbons and a magazine, framed by bold letters in a spring-themed illustration.

Harper's May 1893

Edward Penfield

A bold graphic representation of George Washington in a yellow and black uniform against a blue background.

In Washington's Day: Harper's January

Edward Penfield

Two roosters, one white and one black, stand in a field beneath bold, rust-red lettering.

Harper's May 1898

Edward Penfield

A poised woman in a tailored green jacket and long skirt holds a riding crop against an autumnal background.

Harper's October 1897

Edward Penfield

A theatrical arrangement of horses, carriage, and coachman in a summer outing scene.

Outing Midsummer Number

Edward Penfield

Four women in a streetcar, adorned with hats and gloves, engaged in a moment of urban life.

Calendar: October, November, December 1897

Edward Penfield

A figure on a riverbank glances over their shoulder while another wades into the water towards a canoe, framed by palm leaves.

Three Gringos in Central America and Venezuela

Edward Penfield

Two panels depicting winter scenes: January shows a sleigh by an inn, February features a lone rider on a quiet road.

Beck Calendar 1918: January and February

Edward Penfield

A cozy interior with a man in a chair and a woman setting a dish, contrasted by a man chopping wood outside in winter.

Beck Calendar 1918: November and December

Edward Penfield

A man with a sidelong gaze holds a small dog, illuminated by stark light against a dark background.

English Society

Edward Penfield

A man in a yellow coat and checkered scarf mails a letter above an orange mailbox while a woman in a plaid shawl stands beside him.

Harper's February 1895

Edward Penfield

A woman in an orange coat stands against a tan background, holding a closed umbrella and a magazine.

Harper's April 1894

Edward Penfield

A man in a green coat and red gloves reads *Harper’s* magazine, framed by bold letters.

Harper's April 1893

Edward Penfield

A woman in a yellow skirt rushes with a white rabbit, as a magazine spins in the wind.

Harper's March 1895

Edward Penfield

A woman in a yellow jacket carries a tennis racket case, a blanket, and a small dog, embodying modern leisure in 1893.

Harper's October 1893

Edward Penfield

A young man in a sweater and a young woman in a black dress and hat, framed by oversized text and a handwritten sign.

Harper's November 1894

Edward Penfield

Two figures on snow-shoes and a dog sled traverse a stark, wintry landscape.

On Snow-Shoes to the Barren Grounds (Book Poster)

Edward Penfield

A commanding face rises from a field of orange, with crisp black outlines and bold colors.

The Spanish-American War: Harper's February

Edward Penfield

A high-stepping horse pulls a sleigh with a bundled figure against a pale sky, showcasing sharp contrasts in color.

Harper's January 1899

Edward Penfield

Two elegantly dressed men toast beneath a clock striking midnight, with a punch bowl at the center.

Collier's New Year 1902

Edward Penfield

A figure representing Columbia stands with arms crossed, draped in a star-spangled cloak, with an eagle and a man's portrait below.

Collier's, September 21, 1901

Edward Penfield

Eight young men in red 'C' jerseys carry a rowing shell, showcasing unity and discipline.

Cornell Rowing

Edward Penfield

Three women straining against a plow, symbolizing determination and solidarity in a rural setting.

Will You Help the Women of France? Save Wheat

Edward Penfield

A vermilion windmill with black cats at its base against a pale blue background.

About Paris

Edward Penfield

Two figures stand casually on a canal street in Amsterdam, framed by leaning buildings and a clear sky.

Amsterdam Impressions: Canal Street

Edward Penfield

Amsterdam Impressions: Dutch Woman

Edward Penfield

Three women in patterned aprons and bonnets walking through a sunlit Dutch street.

Amsterdam Impressions: Village Women

Edward Penfield

A confident woman in early 20th-century fashion driving an open carriage along a winding country road.

Metropolitan for July

Edward Penfield

A woman in a yellow dress stands beside a calendar for January, February, and March 1897, holding a violet.

Calendar: January, February, March 1897

Edward Penfield

Four distinct workers stand shoulder to shoulder, embodying solidarity in labor.

Collier's Labor Day Number

Edward Penfield

A rider with a flag gallops across the page, embodying a sense of urgency and celebration.

Collier's Fourth-of-July Number

Edward Penfield

A man in a black coat strides through snow with two hounds, set against a stark winter landscape.

Collier's March

Edward Penfield

A woman in a striped skirt works above a bowl in a kitchen, while a cat watches from the windowsill.

Collier's November 1903

Edward Penfield

A woman and a man interact beneath a tree, with a bicycle nearby, in vibrant yellow and blue hues.

Collier's Out-Door Number

Edward Penfield

A vibrant poster featuring a grand structure with flags, a woman in a wheelchair, and a crowd below.

Collier's Pan-American Exposition Number

Edward Penfield

A young woman in a rowboat named 'Victory,' gripping oars with determination against a backdrop of blue waves.

Every Girl Pulling for Victory

Edward Penfield

A modern gentleman in a dark coat and checked trousers pauses mid-stroll, looking into the distance with red gloves and an ochre magazine.

Harper's August 1893

Edward Penfield

A solitary figure stands on a sunlit boardwalk with a portfolio and pipe, exuding quiet confidence.

Harper's April 1899

Edward Penfield

A young woman with a red bow rings a bell while reaching for a magazine on a muted gold background.

Harper's August 1895

Edward Penfield

A man sits comfortably in a high-backed chair, reading a book with a glass of lemonade beside him.

Harper's August

Edward Penfield

A horse and cart with a woman in a plaid skirt and red blouse, set against a pale background.

A Kentucky Breaking Cart

Edward Penfield

A parade of readers absorbed in a yellow-covered magazine, showcasing their exaggerated hats and vibrant colors.

Harper's February 1897

Edward Penfield

A woman in elegant attire surrounded by roses, delicately plucking a flower from her dress while holding a magazine.

Harper's June 1893

Edward Penfield

A farmer plowing with a horse and a rooster in a simple, bold composition.

Harper's March 1899

Edward Penfield

A confident woman in a dark coat and white hat stands beside a lean hound against a pale background.

Harper's May 1897

Edward Penfield

A row of vibrant yellow daffodils in pots beneath the bold title *Harper’s May*.

Harper's May 1899

Edward Penfield

A young athlete in a vermilion singlet clears the high bar while a judge observes below.

Harper's Round Table: Interscholastic Sport

Edward Penfield

A couple in 1890s fashion walks confidently through a bustling crowd, illuminated by electric lamps.

Harper's Weekly Midsummer Number

Edward Penfield

A young man stands in a boat with a rifle, while a companion in a yellow slicker looks over the water, framed by a rope motif.

Harper's Young People: The Fur-Seal's Tooth

Edward Penfield

A biplane flies above a devastated village, with smoke trailing against a blue sky.

High Adventure

Edward Penfield

A young explorer in a fur coat stands confidently with snowshoes, holding a trophy of the hunt against a backdrop of icy blues and browns.

On Snow Shoes to the Barren Grounds

Edward Penfield

A woman in a black dress with a cherub whispering in her ear, against a yellow background with Napoleon's silhouette.

Napoleon's Love Affairs: The July Metropolitan

Edward Penfield

A young cowboy with a tipped hat gazes sidelong at his horse, whose head fills the right side of the canvas.

Pony Tracks

Edward Penfield

A contrast between March and April: a figure bracing against the wind in March and two men raising a fence in April.

Beck Calendar 1918: March and April

Edward Penfield

Two scenes depicting rural life: planting in May and a summer landscape in June.

Beck Calendar 1918: May and June

Edward Penfield

A man beside a horse-drawn cart with a harvest basket, and another figure loading fruit under a tree.

Beck Calendar 1918: September and October

Edward Penfield

An artist in a hat leans over a yellow sheet, with a cat watching attentively at the table's edge.

Poster Calendar 1897

Edward Penfield

A confident woman in a bold skirt rides a yellow bicycle, her orange hair and white hat contrasting against the graphic background.

Ride a Stearns and Be Content

Edward Penfield