Maxfield Parrish: Part One - benning's Favorite!

Maxfield Parrish was among the most popular artists of the early 20th Century in America. His career began as an illustrator for books and commercial products and moved into paintings featuring a style of colors unparalleled by any other painter. His technique for painting became famous: A "Parrish sky" was understood by everybody as vivid, vibrant, spectacular.

A student of the famous Howard Pyle, Parrish was also influenced by such luminaries of American Illustration as Edwin Austin Abbey and N.C. Wyeth. His artwork was sought after by businesses large and small. Among them: Edison Mazda, Jell-o, Fisk Tires, and Colgate. His cover illustrations graced many magazines and predated the amazing magazine covers of Norman Rockwell.

Djer-Kiss Cosmetics

"Girl With Elves" - 1918



Jello Ad - 1921


Parrish used a 'glazing' technique to mix his colors, not the pallette. By applying color on a white background, thinly varnishing that layer, then applying another color layer and thinly varnishing that, and so on, Parrish's colors were not a blend, but the mixing of color by light. Or, as Jim at bpib.com puts it, "Letting the light do the mixing results in brilliant, luminous colors that actually intensify with the application of a stronger light source."

His technique was not original with him, but Parrish made it work, and created an entire body of art that exemplifies what this glazing technique can do.

If you'd like to read a bit of Parrish's own explanation of the technique, read this article at bpib.com. Take a look at the image below. This is an unfinished work that reveals the Parrish technique. It always makes me wonder how he managed to be patient enough to bring it off.
A larger image can be seen: Dreaming October - 1942

But his career began with less exhalted works. Yet, they are revealing in thier choices of subjects. Fantasy was always uppermost, it seems to me. The more mundane subjects would be magnified in his paintings, but his illustrations for books and magazines were magnificent in thier own right.

"Blacksheep" is on the left; The 'Reluctant Dragon" is on the right.






Parrish's illustrations were sought after by Calendar manufacturers, as well as candy manufacturers, so popular were they with the American public. The calendar below, "Venetian Lamplighters", is one example. It is a painting in all but name.




There is more to come. This is barely a scratch on the surface. And, again, I recommend the websites "The Art Renewal Center" and "CGFA" as wonderful sources of art. You can also get an understanding of the great tradition and richness of American Illustration by visiting "The American Art Archives" and "Been Publishing, I'm Back", among many others.




"Florentine Fete" - 1916

Stay tuned! I think you will love the next installment. Y'all come back, hear?