Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to painter and etcher Stephen Parrish and Elizabeth Bancroft. His given name was Frederick Parrish, but he later adopted Maxfield, his paternal grandmother’s maiden name, as his middle, then finally as his professional name. He was raised in a Quaker Society by a privileged and wealthy family. His father was a professional painter and etcher, and his mother came from a family of machinists. Unusual for Quaker families of the period, both his parents encouraged his artistic talents. By the 1920s, Parrish was the highest-paid artist in America, turning out an enormous number of popular illustrations for books and such magazines as Century, Collier’s, Ladies’ Home Journal and Scribner’s. Parrish had a knack for understanding the nature of his times and the interests of his public. His images continue to resonate with viewers who share his love of dreams, of fantasy, of splendor and of love of place. Since his death, appreciation for Parrish’s achievements as both illustrator and easel painter has been reflected in his influence on contemporary artists and popular culture and in well-received museum exhibitions. With greater appreciation for representational art and brilliant technique, there is growing interest not only in his paintings, but in his illustrations for the magazines, books, calendars and advertisements featured in this exhibition.
Sources: https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/antasies-and-fairy-tales-maxfield-parrish-and-the-art-of-the-print/
