Harper’s Christmas number 1893

"Harper’s Christmas Number" is a magazine cover illustration by Edward Penfield, created in 1893. It features a woman in a stylish dark dress with a white collar and a yellow striped accent. The magazine's title and content are visible in the background, indicating the cover's purpose as advertising. Penfield, known for his elegant linework and whimsical illustrations, employed a simple, yet charming composition, placing the woman front and center against a backdrop of elegant typography and a classic Christmas theme. The artwork is characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, popular in the late 19th century, and exemplifies the magazine’s aesthetic appeal to a broad audience.