Maxwell parish biography
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Maxfield Parrish—The Highest-Paid American Dreamer
Maxfield Parrish was an accomplished American painter and illustrator in the early 20th century. He was an important figure in the golden age of American illustration, along with icons such as Thomas Eakins or Norman Rockwell.
Parrish enjoyed a long career and tremendous economic success. For example, he became the highest-paid commercial artist in the United States bygd the s. He was well-known for his illustrative works of fantastical subjects, as well as his idealized neo-classical imagery. The striking compositions are distinctive due to their bold tones and saturated hues that result in an ethereal, whimsical effect. Parrish admitted that his true passion lay in rendering landscapes and he incorporated elements of landscape art in many of his works. A shade of cobalt blue has been named Parrish blue after this iconic artist.
Early Life
Parrish was raised in a Quaker society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was given th
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Maxfield Parrish was born July 25, , in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Son of Stephan and Elizabeth Bancroft, Parrish was raised in a wealthy and culturally elite Quaker society. This privileged environment allowed him to be exposed to and experiment with his artistic talent starting at age five. His father, an acclaimed painter, draftsman, and expert etcher, acknowledged Maxfield's abilities and provided him with the guidance to allow these talents to flourish. Michael Scott Joseph's biography on Parrish says, "Maxfield came to regard his father as his most influential teacher." Furthermore, the senior Parrish ran a stationary shop until , exposing Maxfield to the business of art as well, which ultimately helped Parrish with his career. Besides the guidance he received from his father and the opportunities he was afforded from his elite Quaker upbringing, the time period between the mid s to the late s, known as the American Renaissance in art, promoted artistic talent in society, whi
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Maxfield Parrish, Reveries (detail). Image courtesy of the National Museum of American Illustration.
The Winter Exhibition, The Ethereal Worlds of Maxfield Parrish, from the National Museum of American Illustration, on view January 21st through May 25th, features original works of art by Maxfield Parrish illustrating his genius for evoking a dreamlike world between reality and reverie. Parrish’s work is often associated with the Golden Age of Illustration and falls both within the realms of Romanticism and Fantasy, with some influence from the Aesthetic Movement. Not strictly confined to any single movement, his work is a blend of idealized realism, with lush landscapes and figures that evoke both a romantic and fantastical sense of beauty. His mastery of ethereal colors, especially the famous “Parrish Blue,” were essential in conveying his dreamlike vision.
While Parrish’s style includes mythological and allegorical themes, straddling the line between fine art and illustra