Moonlight - Maxfield Parrish
Archival giclée
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Made to order
Description
A luminous, dreamlike depiction of a rocky gorge at night, rendered with the signature glazing technique of Maxfield Parrish.
Maxfield Parrish was a master of light and colour, known for his meticulous glazing techniques that produced a luminous quality in his work. Moonlight is a prime example of his ability to construct imaginary worlds that feel both alien and strangely familiar. The composition features a rugged, rocky gorge where the terrain is rendered with sharp, sculptural clarity. A stream flows through the centre, catching the ethereal glow of an unseen light source. Parrish achieved this effect by applying thin, transparent layers of oil paint over a white ground. This method allowed light to reflect through the layers, creating the signature glow that became synonymous with his name. The palette is dominated by deep purples, cool blues, and sharp contrasts, which evoke the stillness of a night scene. Unlike many of his contemporaries who focused on realism, Parrish often constructed his scenes from models and photographs, assembling them into a cohesive, dreamlike vision. This work demonstrates his technical precision. The rock formations are defined by strong shadows and highlights, giving them a three-dimensional presence. The water, rendered with soft, blurred strokes, provides a contrast to the solid, jagged stone. Parrish was highly successful during his lifetime, and his work appeared in numerous magazines and advertisements. His approach to composition often involved a theatrical sense of staging, where the viewer is invited to look into a space that feels removed from the everyday world. The absence of human figures in this piece allows the viewer to focus entirely on the interplay between the geological forms and the atmospheric light. It remains a clear representation of his unique aesthetic, which balanced technical rigour with a romanticised view of nature.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Moonlight - Maxfield Parrish
Artist Biography
Maxfield Parrish
He called himself a mechanic who paints. Beneath his studio he built a workshop filled with machines, and used them to construct model scenes, props and lighting rigs for his paintings. The process was closer to set design than to plein air. He would build a miniature landscape, light it from specific angles, photograph it, then paint from the photograph using a layering technique borrowed from the Old Masters: thin coats of transparent oil glaze over a plaster base, each layer drying before the next, so the under-colours shone through. The method eliminated visible brushstrokes and produced a luminosity that looked like stained glass.
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. By the mid-1920s it was estimated that one in four American households had a Parrish print on the wall. The image appeared in Terrence Malick's Badlands and inspired the poster for The Princess Bride. For three models he used his own daughter Jean, Kitty Owen (granddaughter of William Jennings Bryan), and his young nanny Susan Lewin.
In 1900, tuberculosis followed by a nervous breakdown forced him to stop working. The recovery period changed his technique: it was during this convalescence that he developed the glazing method that defined the rest of his career. He lived to ninety-five, painting until the last few years.
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
Artist Biography
Maxfield Parrish
He called himself a mechanic who paints. Beneath his studio he built a workshop filled with machines, and used them to construct model scenes, props and lighting rigs for his paintings. The process was closer to set design than to plein air. He would build a miniature landscape, light it from specific angles, photograph it, then paint from the photograph using a layering technique borrowed from the Old Masters: thin coats of transparent oil glaze over a plaster base, each layer drying before the next, so the under-colours shone through. The method eliminated visible brushstrokes and produced a luminosity that looked like stained glass.
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. By the mid-1920s it was estimated that one in four American households had a Parrish print on the wall. The image appeared in Terrence Malick's Badlands and inspired the poster for The Princess Bride. For three models he used his own daughter Jean, Kitty Owen (granddaughter of William Jennings Bryan), and his young nanny Susan Lewin.
In 1900, tuberculosis followed by a nervous breakdown forced him to stop working. The recovery period changed his technique: it was during this convalescence that he developed the glazing method that defined the rest of his career. He lived to ninety-five, painting until the last few years.
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