Design for a Book Cover
ca. 1887–1903
Medium
graphic design
Classification
graphic design
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1943-33-1-14
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Alice Cordelia Morse’s “Design for a Book Cover” offers a glimpse into the creative world of American graphic design at the turn of the twentieth century. Created between roughly 1887 and 1903, the work reflects a time when beautifully designed book covers became an important part of publishing, blending art with everyday objects that readers could hold and enjoy. As an American artist active during this period, Morse contributed to the growing recognition of graphic design as a legitimate artistic practice. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the piece underscores the museum’s com...