Sample Book c. 19th century

"Sample Book," an anonymous work from the 19th century, is a bound book with a pasted-on cover. The cover depicts a romantic scene of two figures standing in front of a stone monument with a floral arrangement, all in front of a lush landscape. The scene is printed on a pink paper, suggesting it was likely a promotional piece for a commercial enterprise, possibly a book publisher or printer. This object offers a glimpse into the ephemera of the 19th century and the artistic trends of the era. The artwork is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.