Advertisement for Philadelphia Sunday Press: June 2, 1895

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of late th-century American advertising with George Reiter Brill's *Advertisement for Philadelphia Sunday Press: 2, 1895*. Created in 1895, this striking lithograph poster promotes the Sunday edition of the Press, a prominent newspaper of the era. Brill, accomplished illustrator known for his dynamic commercial posters, captures the excitement of news and in a medium-sized sheet (19 3/4 x 13 1/2 in.), now housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints department. Lithography, perfected in the 19th century, allowed for bold colors and intricate details ideal for mass-produced posters, revolutionizing advertising by reaching everyday audiences on city streets and newsstands. This technique's significance lies in its ability to blend artistry with commerce, making high-impact visuals affordable and widespread. The poster's focus on women—highlighted in its tags—reflects the growing cultural emphasis on female readership, as newspapers increasingly targeted women with features on fashion, society, and family life amid the Gilded Age's social shifts. Acquired in 2015 through the generous Lauder Foundation gift, this piece offers a window into how print culture shaped urban life, blending journalism's urgency with artistic flair. A delightful glimpse of 1890s Philadelphia!

About the Artist

George Reiter Brill · 1867–1918

American, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1867–1918 Florida