Biography: Maxfield Parrish

When I was newly married to Andy, I noticed some old framed prints in my inlaws' house. They were fantasy scenes with still-vivid blues, and neo-classical maidens in flowing white gowns. These belonged to my brother in law, Brad, and from him I discovered the art of Maxfield Parrish, and I have been a devoted follower of this artist-illustrator ever since.

Maxfield Parrish was born in 1870 as Frederick Parrish, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but later adopted his mother's maiden name and used it as his first name. His father was a painter and etcher. He discovered his passion for creating art early in life, and trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Drexel Institute of Art. At the age of 27, his career was launched with the illustration of a book by Kenneth Grahame, The Walls Were As of Jasper. From there, he went on to illustrate many books, advertisements, and magazine covers, including Hearst's, Collier's, and Life, as well as to paint murals and beautiful paintings. He became the highest paid commercial artist in the United States by the 1920s. Parrish's artistic career lasted more than half a century, and helped shape the Golden Age of illustration, and the future of American art.

In the 1920's he began to turn away from illustrations, and he focused on paintings instead. He lived comfortably off of royalties from his earlier advertising illustrations, which allowed him time to paint what he wanted. Parrish mainly painted fantasy scenes, often including androgynous figures and pretty maidens. He often used Kitty Owen, himself, and his mistress, Sue Lewin, as models.

His paintings had vivid, detailed backdrops of craggy mountains with high contrast between sunlight and shadow, and intense blue sky, castles, pillars, and trees. It is said that his method for painting included a blue and white monochromatic underpainting, and glazing, which involves many layers of thin color, which produces a depth and brilliance not often seen in other methods of painting. One method he used to build depth was by photographing and tracing objects or figures. He would then cut out the image on his canvas, and cover them with thick, clear layers of glaze, and then would paint over them.

In 1931, he told the Associated Press, :I'm done with girls on rocks”, and turned his focus to landscapes. Although never as popular as his fantasy paintings, he profited from them. Parrish was the most popular illustrator until the 1940's, when Norman Rockwell came on the scene. Rockwell studies Parrish's art and admired him in art school. Although their styles are not similar, Rockwell was influenced by Parrish, and he influenced the quality of his art and composition.

He painted until in his 90's.  He died in Plainfield, New Hampshire, at the age of 96, in 1966. His art has been studied by many art students, and he has had major influence on many successful artists and illustrators. His style preceded the photo-realistic and hyper-realistic styles of today. His original works sell at a hefty price. Daybreak sold in 2006 for $7.6 million. If you look hard enough, sometimes you can still find vintage prints or tins with his illustrations at a reasonable price. For an art lover, these are treasures, indeed.