Pair Framed Edward Penfield “Country Carts” Equestrian Color Lithographs, 1900

Details

Description

A handsome pair of original color lithographs by celebrated American illustrator and poster artist Edward Penfield (1866–1925), from his Country … Read more A handsome pair of original color lithographs by celebrated American illustrator and poster artist Edward Penfield (1866–1925), from his Country Carts Series No. 1, copyrighted 1900 and published by R. H. Russell, New York.
The pair comprises Meadow Brook Cart and Exercising Cart, each retaining its printed title, Penfield monogram, copyright line and publisher's credit along the lower margin.
Penfield was an important figure in the Golden Age of American illustration and is particularly known for the influential posters he created for Harper’s during the 1890s. His distinctive graphic style—strong outlines, simplified forms and a restrained palette—is particularly effective in these equestrian subjects.
The two prints offer a glimpse into American sporting and leisure culture at the turn of the 20th century. Exercising Cart depicts a smartly dressed gentleman driving a white horse and brilliant red cart. Meadow Brook Cart is especially engaging, with a fashionable woman taking the reins, accompanied by her terrier and a gentleman in sporting dress. The horses, harnesses, carriages and clothing are rendered with Penfield's characteristic economy of line and attention to detail.
The presentation is an important part of the appeal of this pair. The prints were framed by Catherine Sylvia Reiss, an antiques dealer and exceptional frame shop specializing in antique prints, with locations in the late 1900’s in Pound Ridge, New York, and Darien, Connecticut. Each is set within layered cream matting with a narrow red border and a particularly beautiful hand-marbled paper mat in deep blue-green with touches of red. The marbled mats pick up Penfield's palette beautifully, while the giltwood frames complete the handsome presentation.
Each print is inscribed along the lower margin:
Country Carts Series No. 1. Copyright 1900 by Edward Penfield.
Published by R. H. Russell, New York.
Frame:
Height: 24 ¾ In.
Width: 31 In.
Depth: ¾ In.
Sight: 15 ¼ x 21 ½ In.
A particularly decorative pair combining American equestrian art, Gilded Age sporting life and turn-of-the-century graphic design, enhanced by exceptionally fine framing and ready to hang. See less