: A gifted and prolific artist, Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966)
created oil paintings, murals, book and calendar illustrations
and advertisements, often based on photographs, that appealed to
popular tastes of the period but were grounded on aesthetic
considerations. One of the most enduringly popular American
illustrators, he occupies a special niche in the history of
America's culture.
In his work, Parrish combined a mastery of technique with full
knowledge of rapid technological advances in color printing. His
ability to utilize new, high-quality color printing processes
facilitated mass dissemination of his often fantastical imagery.
In producing works that were part illustration and part fine art
- iconic images that appeal to this day - he defined a new role
for graphic artists.
"Maxfield Parrish, Master of Make-Believe," a nationally touring
exhibition, brings together a splendid selection of 80 of his
finest works. Organized by the Trust for Museum Exhibitions in
Washington, D.C., the show is curated by Parrish authority Alma
Gilbert Smith, who wrote the essay in the useful, accompanying
catalog.
