



About Maxfield Parrish
a self-described mechanic who built model sets, lit them like stage productions, and produced the most reproduced art print of the twentieth century
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Where to see Maxfield Parrish
Ranked by works you can see in person.
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10 works
Brandywine Museum of Art
Chadds Ford Township, United States
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4 works
Detroit Institute of Arts
Midtown Detroit, United States
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2 works
RISD Museum
Providence, United States
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2 works
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis, United States
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2 works
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United States
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2 works
Yale University Art Gallery
Yale University Art Gallery Swartwout Building, United States
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1 works
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Boston, United States
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1 works
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia, United States
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0 works
Poster Section
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Spain
Also here (6)
Maxfield Parrish prints
Hand-finished archival prints from Maxfield Parrish's body of work.
The Lantern Bearers - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
Solitude - Maxfield Parrish
From £37.00
Garden of Allah - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
The Knave of Hearts - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
Grand Canyon - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
Cardinal Archbishop Sat on His Shaded Balcony - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
Moonlight - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
The Dinky Bird - Maxfield Parrish
From £28.00
Can't travel? Bring Maxfield Parrish home.
See all Maxfield Parrish prints →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see Maxfield Parrish's work?
You can find Maxfield Parrish's work in several museums. In the United States, these include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art (Winter Park, Florida), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond), the Wolfsonian at Florida International University (Miami Beach), and the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, CT). Also consider the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.). In Canada, Parrish's art can be viewed at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. In the United Kingdom, visit the Bakelite Museum (Williton), the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the Geffrye Museum (London), the Manchester Art Gallery, the National Museums of Scotland Royal Museum (Edinburgh), and the Victoria & Albert Museum (London).Where can I see Maxfield Parrish paintings?
Maxfield Parrish's works can be seen at Poster Section, Brandywine Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of Arts, and 2 other museums worldwide.What should I know about Maxfield Parrish's prints?
When considering Maxfield Parrish's prints, it is useful to understand some basics of the print market. Prints fall into two general categories: fine art and decorative. Fine art prints are often sold in limited editions, with each print numbered and signed by the artist. For example, a print marked 35/100 indicates it is the 35th print out of a total edition of 100. Artists may also create a small number of artist's proofs, marked AP. The value of a print depends on several factors, including the artist's reputation, the image's popularity, and the quality of materials used. Limited editions usually command higher prices than posters, as the number of prints is restricted. Some publishers limit the number of impressions to increase a print's value, with limits ranging from 250 to 1,000. When purchasing prints, bear in mind that edition claims are subject to trade description legislation; any claims made should be truthful. The print number and edition number are typically written on the bottom left margin of the print, the title in the middle, and the signature on the right, always in pencil.Why are Maxfield Parrish's works important today?
Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) was an American painter and illustrator known for his distinctive style and use of colour. His works remain popular due to their dreamlike qualities and technical skill. Parrish's illustrations appeared in magazines like *Harper's Weekly*, *Scribner's Magazine*, and *Collier's*. He created advertising images for companies such as Jell-O and Mazda. His commercial success allowed him to pursue personal artistic projects. His paintings often feature classical or fantasy themes, with figures posed in idyllic settings. Parrish developed a glazing technique that created luminous effects, and his use of a particular blue hue, now known as "Parrish blue", is a signature element of his work. Although some critics dismissed his work as overly sentimental or commercial, Parrish's images resonated with a wide audience. His art offered an escape from the realities of industrialised life. Today, his paintings and prints are still widely collected and appreciated for their beauty and craftsmanship. He is remembered as a significant figure in American illustration and popular art.Maxfield Parrish most famous work?
Daybreak, painted in 1922, became the most reproduced art print of the twentieth century. It outsold Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans and Da Vinci's Last Supper in print form.Is Maxfield Parrish public domain?
According to one source, he made no effort to protect his copyrights, so his work became public domain. This happened as soon as people could use a Photostat camera.What techniques or materials did Maxfield Parrish use?
Maxfield Parrish is known for a distinctive style achieved through specific materials and methods. He built up luminous colour effects using oil glazes. This involved applying thin, transparent layers of paint, one over another, to create depth and luminosity. Parrish prepared his panels with gesso, a white coating that provided a smooth, reflective surface. He then underpainted in monochrome, establishing the composition and modelling before adding colour. Photographic techniques also played a role in his process. Parrish used photographs as reference material and sometimes projected images directly onto his canvases, aiding in precise drawing and composition. His glazing technique involved applying many layers of varnish between each coat of colour. This laborious process contributed to the smooth, almost enamel-like finish of his paintings. The combination of glazing, gesso preparation, and photographic reference allowed Parrish to create highly detailed and idealised images, with a characteristic otherworldly glow.Who did Maxfield Parrish influence?
Maxfield Parrish's impact is most visible in American illustration and commercial art. His stylised imagery and colour palettes influenced a generation of artists working in advertising, book illustration, and poster design. While it is difficult to trace direct artistic lineages, Parrish's work shares common ground with several later artists. His use of heightened colour and romanticised figures appears in the work of Norman Rockwell, though Rockwell's style is more grounded in realism. Parrish's influence also extends to Walt Disney's animation, particularly in the stylised backgrounds and colour schemes of films such as *Sleeping Beauty* (1959). Some scholars have also noted parallels between Parrish's idealised landscapes and the fantasy art of Frank Frazetta. The widespread distribution of Parrish's prints and commercial work ensured his visual language permeated American popular culture. His distinctive aesthetic continues to resonate with contemporary artists and designers interested in retro styles and fantasy themes.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Maxfield Parrish's works across the following collections.
- [1] book Susie Hodge, Artists and Their Pets Used for: biography.
- [2] book Mark Rothko;Christopher Rothko;, The Artist's Reality Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-07-02. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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