Harper’s bazar midsummer number
A hand-painted replica of Edward Penfield’s masterpiece Harper’s bazar midsummer number, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.
Edward Penfield's Harper’s Bazar Midsummer Number is a notable illustration created in 1895 as a cover design for the midsummer issue of Harper’s Bazar (now spelled Harper’s Bazaar), a prominent American fashion magazine. Penfield, often regarded as one of the pioneers of American poster art, was the art director for Harper’s during the 1890s and played a significant role in shaping the visual identity of the magazine during this period.
The artwork exemplifies Penfield's signature style, which combined simplicity, bold outlines, and flat areas of color, influenced by the Art Nouveau movement and the poster art of French artists like Jules Chéret and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The illustration features a fashionable woman dressed in a summer outfit, holding a parasol, and standing against a serene outdoor backdrop. This imagery reflects the magazine's focus on fashion, leisure, and the lifestyle of its predominantly upper-class readership. The composition is both elegant and functional, designed to capture the attention of readers and convey the seasonal theme of the issue.
Penfield's work for Harper’s Bazar and other publications during the 1890s marked a turning point in American graphic design, as he elevated magazine covers to an art form in their own right. His designs were not only visually appealing but also served as effective marketing tools, helping to establish the magazine's reputation as a leader in fashion and culture.
The Midsummer Number cover is a prime example of how Penfield's illustrations encapsulated the spirit of the era, blending artistic innovation with commercial appeal. It remains a celebrated piece in the history of American illustration and is often studied as part of the broader context of late 19th-century graphic design.
