Maxfield Parrish [Hardcover]

Coy Ludwig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2007

We are pleased to bring this classic work back into print. A compendium of the life and work of Maxfield Parrish, it is an essential part of a Parrish library. For the collector, the publisher has included a value guide to some of the products that bear Parrish images. Examples of Parrish's most famous book illustrations are shown, including selections from Mother Goose in Prose and the Arabian Nights. Also included are his famous magazine covers-from Life, Collier's, Harper's Weekly, etc., as well as all the landscapes that he painted for Brown and Bigelow, who reproduced them as calendars every year from 1936 to 1963. One of the highlights of the book is the chapter on Parrish's technique, examining in depth his materials, favorite methods, and unique way of painting. In addition, there is a lengthy excerpt from an unpublished manuscript by Maxfield Parrish, Jr., explaining step-by-step his father's glazing technique and use of photography in his work. This definitive study also contains numerous revealing excerpts from Parrish's unpublished correspondence with family, friends, and clients.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Coy Ludwig is an Assistant Professor of Art at the State University of New York in Oswego.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 223 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (July 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887405274
• ISBN-13: 978-0887405273
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a gem, if only for the explaination of parrish's technique, September 17, 1999

By 

G. Wagner (PA & NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maxfield Parrish (Hardcover)

Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing the Parrish exhibit mounted by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. My experience was that much more enjoyable as a result of owning and reading Ludwig's book. The book, aside from the dutiful enumeration of Parrish's accomplishments, provides a treasure trove of Parrish's work; so much so that only three or four of the works were "new" to me. The explaination of Parrish's techniques is an absolute necessity to Parrish afficianados. It makes you crave a viewing of the actual works.

While some of the color prints fail to do the artist justice and there are far too many black and white reproductions, the book is a wonderful catalog of Parrish's work. Oddly, I was surprised to learn of Parrish's obsession with model/muse, Susan Lewin; a woman completly eliminated in Ludwig's treatment of Parrish. To gain an more complete appreciation of Parrish, one should understand that relationship. Perhaps, in addition to purchasing this book, one should obtain the PAFA'a catalog of their Parrish exhibition

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ludwig's book still the best of Parrish in print., July 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Maxfield Parrish (Hardcover)

Mr. Ludwig's book was the first tome on Parrish I ever had in my hands. That was in 1973, and I still consider it the most comprehensive book on the man and his art available. While there are many more Parrish publications on the shelves today than 25 years ago (several with more and better reproductions), none has the interesting mix of biography, reproductions, catalog and technical information on Parrish and his work that Mr. Ludwig included in this book (the bibliography sent me in search of as many of the original magazine articles as I could find,... well worth the hunt). This is one Parrish book that feels as if it were done for love of the artist and not for love of money.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference for illustrators and art enthusiasts., January 5, 2007

By 

G. Dick "sketcher" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Maxfield Parrish (Hardcover)

This book has always been the "essential" Maxfield Parrish reference for me. It contains page after page of information about the artist's incredible personal and professional life. It also goes into great depth detailing the illustrator's perfected (and tedious) technique of creating illustrations. From crafting meticulous miniatures for layout to the final process of layering oil glazes onto the canvas. It's all there.

I would highly recommend this book to Illustrators, art teachers, and overall art enthusiasts who want to expand their knowledge about illustration and a true master of the past. This book has been cited in other publications such as "Step by Step Graphics" for the depth analysis of his technique.

My only small criticism is that I would've liked to seen more color prints within the book. A few too many black and white reproductions of the artwork. That aside, I feel this book is of tremendous value.