Maxfield Parrish

Style: Romanticism;

Place: Philadelphia

Born: 1870

Death: 1966

Biography:

Early Life and Education

Maxfield Parrish

, an American painter and illustrator, was born on July 25, 1870, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Stephen Parrish, a painter and etcher, and Elizabeth Bancroft. Maxfield's given name was Frederick Parrish, but he later adopted his paternal grandmother's maiden name as his middle name, and eventually, as his professional name. Maxfield began drawing for his own amusement as a child. He was raised in a Quaker society and was encouraged by his parents to pursue his artistic talent. In 1884, his parents took him on a European tour, visiting England, Italy, and France, where he was exposed to architecture and the works of old masters.

Artistic Career

Maxfield studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1892 to 1895, under the guidance of Robert Vonnoh and Thomas Pollock Anshutz. He later attended the Drexel Institute of Art, Science & Industry, with his father's encouragement. Maxfield's artistic career spanned over half a century, during which he produced nearly 900 pieces of art, including calendars, greeting cards, and magazine covers. His early works were mostly in black and white. He worked with prominent magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Scribner's Magazine, and Collier's.

Maxfield Parrish's most notable work is Daybreak (1923), featuring female figures in a landscape scene, showcasing his signature "Parrish blue" undertones.
He also created advertisements for companies like Wanamaker's, Edison-Mazda Lamps, Colgate, and Oneida Cutlery.
In the 1920s, Maxfield shifted his focus from illustration to painting, often featuring androgynous nudes in fantastical settings.

Legacy and Style

Maxfield Parrish's art is characterized by vibrant colors, achieved through glazing. He used innovative techniques, such as projecting images onto his works and using geometric patterns. His style gave his paintings a more three-dimensional feel. Notable Works:

The Gardener (Birmingham Museum of Art, United States, Oil On Paper)
Daybreak (1923, featuring female figures in a landscape scene)

Associated Artists:

George Hand Wright, an American painter and illustrator
Winslow Homer, an American painter (e.g., Fox Hunt, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, United States)

Maxfield Parrish passed away on March 30, 1966, leaving behind a legacy of distinctive neo-classical imagery and a profound impact on American visual arts.