This striking American advertising poster was created in 1896 by Edward Penfield, one of the pioneers of modern poster design in the United States. Commissioned to promote Stearns bicycles, the composition features a poised female rider rendered in Penfield’s signature flat color planes and strong silhouettes. The restrained palette, bold typography, and confident pose reflect the growing popularity of cycling in the 1890s and its association with independence, modernity, and leisure.
Unlike the ornate floral excess often associated with European Art Nouveau, Penfield’s style is more graphic and pared back, emphasizing clarity and visual impact. Ride a Stearns and Be Content stands as an important example of American poster art at the turn of the century, bridging commercial illustration and fine art. It remains a classic image of the bicycle craze era and a cornerstone of early American advertising design.
🌟 Available Sizes:
✔️ 12x16 inches - Great for desks, shelves, bedrooms, or offices
✔️ 18x24 inches - Our most popular size - perfect for bedrooms, offices, or studios
🖨️ Print features:
- Made with museum-grade archival paper for excellent printing fidelity and vibrant color reproduction
- Paper weight: 189 g/m2
- For indoor use only
- Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.
- Please note: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16"
🚚 Fulfillment and Shipping:
- Printed and shipped from the U.S.
- Ships in a sturdy mailing tube, frame not included
💬 Questions? Looking for something else, or want something in a different size? Feel free to reach out anytime; we'll see what we can do!
