Edward Penfield Paintings
American, 1866-1925
One of the best of our native talents, Penfield is well-known for the decade 1891-1901, during which he was the art director of Harper's. For five of the ten years he produced posters for each month's issue of the then-popular magazine. His drawings are deceptively simple, with flat color and clear lines, but they always manage to convey class and refinement. And there's quite often a gentle touch of humor or irony, refreshing and frivolous. Penfield's posters are models of effective composition and economy of expression (Jack Rennert, PAI-XXVII, 555)
When his tenure at Harper's came to an end, Penfield was free to travel, and his experiences are preserved in two books published by Scribner's, Holland Sketches (1907) and Spanish Sketches (1911), in which his graphic sense blossomed in a wealth of detail. The critic Royal Cortissoz commented: "When he made [these], he entered thoroughly into the spirit of his themes and did some of his best work... He was never the technical virtuoso alone. Humanity was always breaking into his world." - Frederic B. Taraba
"We are a bit tired of the very serious nowadays, and a little frivolity is refreshing, and yet frivolity to be successful must be most thoroughly studied." So wrote EDWARD PENFIELD near the outset of his highly influential career as an illustrator, art editor, and poster artist, a career guided by keen observation, a cosmopolitan sensibility, and simplicity that belied his meticulously crafted efforts.
In looking at the work of Penfield today, we find less of what strikes us as frivolous and more of a keen sense of design and composition. The Art Center Bulletin of April 1925 remembered his contribution to illustrative art this way: "To everything he produced Penfield brought his great gifts of design and draftsmanship, a wonderful sincerity that never faltered, and a beautiful humbleness of spirit." As early as 1894, just a year and a half after Penfield began a series of monthly images for Harper's , his work was heralded by Publisher's Weekly: "The advertising poster has within recent years actually soared into the regions of art." Penfield is also credited with bringing abstraction to commercial art through his boldly simplified shapes. This and other stylistic trademarks resulted from a distillation of a number of influences, including the compositional precepts and casual poses found in Japanese prints, the hand-craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts movement, the impressionistic approach of Parisian poster-making, and British poise and directness.to
2
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
13
787
690
651
578
2
2
Artist: Edward Penfield
Washington at Mount Vernon
By Edward Penfield
Located in Fort Washington, PA
1923 Image of George Washington at his home in Mount Vernon.
Edward Penfield produced some of America’s finest posters. His clean style and large silhouetted shapes resulted from much careful preliminary refinement and elimination of detail. Horses and coaches were a favorite subject with him, as typified with his picture of the colonial Post Road. A notable series of his illustrations were contained in his book, Holland Sketches...
Category
1920s Other Art Style Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Ink, Paper, Watercolor
President Cleveland, Saturday Evening Post Cover
By Edward Penfield
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Watercolor on Paper Laid to Board
Signature: Signed Lower Left
Saturday Evening Post Cover, June 20, 1908
Edward Penfield produced some of America’s finest posters. His clean style and large silhouetted shapes resulted from much careful preliminary refinement and elimination of detail. Horses and coaches were a favorite subject with him, as typified with his picture of the colonial Post Road. A notable series of his illustrations were contained in his book, Holland Sketches...
Category
Early 1900s Other Art Style Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Board
Related Items
7.10.24 #6 - Jewel Tone Emerald Abstract Watercolor Minimalist Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delicate strokes and natural hues shape Shiri Phillips' watercolor, ink, and colored pencil artworks, showcasing her exploration of minimalism and organic forms. Departing from her u...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Color Pencil
Hummingbird IX
By Keith Carrington
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Hummingbird IX 40x26 unframed
Ink, Watercolor, Paper
Keith Carrington’s experiences have led him to express his talents through the fluid & exacting mediums of watercolor & ink. He has honed his skills, clarified his vision, experimented, explored and expanded his expression steadily over the years, the results of which thus far culminate here. Clearly, Keith’s extensive travels have roots in the luminous quality of his work, eminently holding the utmost possibilities of beauty and significance.
Keith’s most recent paintings explore a spiritual path, he integrates them with transformative healing energies and infuses his enthusiasm into these dynamic pieces that you see here today.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2015 Renata Fine Arts, Hudson, New York
2013 @60″ New York, NY
2012 @60″ New York, NY curated sale with Harry Heisman
2011 KL/Karen Lynne Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida & Beverly Hills, California
2003 Dupont Gallery, Milwaukee Wisconsin
1994 Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, NY
1994 The Roger Smith Gallery, New York, NY
1993 Ambassador Galleries, New York, NY
1992 Elaine Benson Gallery, Bridgehampton, New York
1983 Manor House Gallery, Rhinebeck, New York
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2014 & 2015, 2010: C. Bell, Palm Beach, Florida
1995: Luxe Energy Aesthetics, West Palm Beach, Florida
1991: Time Warner Publishing, New York, NY
1990: Imperial Hotel Gallery, Chestertown, Maryland
1988 & 1987: National Symphony Show House, Washington, DC
1986: International Jumping Derby, Jockey Club, Newport, Rhode Island Elijah Locke House, Rye Beach, New Hampshire
1984: Washington Design Center, Washington, D.C.
SELECTED CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Bovis Inc., New York, NY
The Kiplinger Collection, Washington, D.C.
The International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. Hopkins & Sutter, Washington, D.C.
McKenna, Conner, & Cuneo, Washington, D.C. Oliver T. Carr Company, Alexandria, Virginia
SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
RuPaul, Beverly Hills, California
Kelly Klein, New York, NY
Governor & Mrs. Bruce Sundlun, Providence, Rhode Island Mr. & Mrs. William Aylward...
Category
2010s Minimalist Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
7.10.24 #20 - Colorful Abstract Watercolor Minimalist Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint in fluent b...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Color Pencil
7.10.24 #22 - Jewel Tone Emerald Peridot Watercolor Minimalist Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delicate strokes and natural hues shape Shiri Phillips' watercolor, ink, and colored pencil artworks, showcasing her exploration of minimalism and organic forms. Departing from her u...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Color Pencil
Tranquil River Scene in the English Countryside by 20th Century British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Tranquil River Scene in the English Countryside by 20th Century British Artist, entitled Calm Waters
Art measures 28 x 20 inches
Frame measures 36 x 28 inches
Unique Original
Si...
Category
1990s Realist Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Board
Layered Plan #6 (Abstract Geometric Black & White Mixed Media Collage on Paper)
By Donise English
Located in Hudson, NY
Abstract geometric mixed media collage in black, white, and grey with details of bright red
"Layered Plan #6", made by Hudson Valley artist, Donise English, in 2009
15 x 12 inches, 2...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Archival Paper, Ink, Gouache
H 21.5 in W 17.5 in D 1.5 in
7.10.24 #12 - Colorful Abstract Watercolor Minimalist Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint in fluent b...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Color Pencil
7.10.24 #2 - Jewel Tone Emerald Watercolor Minimalist Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delicate strokes and natural hues shape Shiri Phillips' watercolor, ink, and colored pencil artworks, showcasing her exploration of minimalism and organic forms. Departing from her u...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Color Pencil
Vortex Twin Flame Butterflies
By Keith Carrington
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Vortex Twin Flame
Mixed Media Ink on archival paper.
Keith Carrington’s experiences have led him to express his talents through the fluid & exacting
medi...
Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
"Around", Colorful Abstract, Black and Rainbow, Drawing and Painting
By Jason Andrew Turner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This abstract drawing titled "Around" is an original artwork by Jason Andrew Turner made of sumi ink, gouache, and copic ink on paper. The artist incorporates techniques of painting...
Category
2010s Contemporary Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Sumi Ink, Gouache
'Migration: In Flux Pandemic Collection, ' by Peter Healy, Painting, 2020
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This framed 27" x 37" watercolor painting by Irish artist, Peter Healy is from the 'In Flux' Pandemic Collection. The painting comes vibrantly alive as the...
Category
2010s Abstract Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Paper
H 27 in W 37 in D 1.5 in
"Spit Out All My Air", Abstract Painting and Drawing, Colorful, Black
By Jason Andrew Turner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This abstract painting and drawing titled "Spit Out All My Air" is an original artwork by Jason Andrew Turner made of sumi ink, gouache, and copic ink on paper. Incorporating techniq...
Category
2010s Contemporary Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Sumi Ink, Gouache
Previously Available Items
Policeman on Horseback
By Edward Penfield
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Magazine Cover of a policeman on horseback.
Edward Penfield produced some of America’s finest posters. His clean style and large silhouetted shapes resulted from much careful preliminary refinement and elimination of detail. Horses and coaches were a favorite subject with him, as typified with his picture of the colonial Post Road. A notable series of his illustrations were contained in his book, Holland Sketches...
Category
1910s Other Art Style Edward Penfield Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Edward Penfield paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Edward Penfield paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Edward Penfield in paint, board, paper and more. Not every interior allows for large Edward Penfield paintings, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Werner Drewes, Charles Hargens, and Randall Berndt. Edward Penfield paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7,500 and tops out at $59,000, while the average work can sell for $7,500.