Maxfield Parrish: The Landscapes [Hardcover]

Alma Gilbert (Author), Maxfield Parrish (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Maxfield Parrish (1870–1966) remains one of America’s most beloved artists, widely known for his incredibly detailed and lavish works. His landscapes are perhaps the least well known of his masterpieces, although they were the closest to his heart. Indeed, in his later years, Parrish dedicated himself almost entirely to landscape scenes, sometimes reworking earlier pieces to remove human figures.
 
In this witty and illuminating book, Parrish expert Alma Gilbert argues persuasively that Parrish’s better-known illustration career was a thirty-five-year detour on his path to achieving his true goal, a dedication to reproducing nature in all its splendor. The 50-plus color plates in this book show how masterfully he achieved that goal, while the text provides fascinating insight into the stories behind these glorious images. Also featured are lovely photos of Parrish’s estate, The Oaks, where he found refuge and inspiration, shots of the artist and his family, and hitherto unpublished correspondence. Together, these elements help sketch in the context surrounding this remarkable man and his extraordinary art. A feast for the senses, this is truly a book for any art lover, whether familiar with Parrish’s marvelous landscapes, or on the brink of a wonderful discovery.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alma Gilbert has dedicated the past twenty-five years to the collection, preservation, and admiration of the works of Maxfield Parrish. From the early 1970s to the present, she has bought, owned, and sold over one hundred originals. She estimates that she has exhibited over three hundred works at her California galleries: La Galeria (1972–1985) and the Alma Gilbert Galleries (1987–1996).
 
In 1993, she purchased a portion of Parrish’s New Hampshire estate, The Oaks, where the above photograph was taken.

She has written several books on her favorite artist: The Make Believe World of Maxfield Parrish, two Parrish Poster Books, A Treasury of Parrish in Children’s Literature, The Mechanic Who Loved to Paint, and two editions of Maxfield Parrish: The Masterworks. In the summer of 1998 she opened a museum in Cornish, New Hampshire, dedicated to the works of the artists of the Cornish Colony. The opening exhibit was, of course, A Celebration: The Hundredth Anniversary of Parrish’s Arrival in Cornish.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction
 
As we enter the eve of the next millennium, we should reflect on some of the salient works of American art of this and the last century to see if one particular school or movement defines or encapsulates what is known as American art of this period. If one were to specify which art has defined, inspired, and motivated this country as a whole, American landscape painting would be one of the top contenders for this honor.
 
Were it not for the magnificent works created by Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran, Thomas Cole, and Frederic Church, who painted the glories of this country’s land--some historians have wondered--would settlers and homesteaders have ventured forth as early in the nineteenth century, seeking the glories of nature attributed by these artists to the landscape? Many settlers set forth inspired by the promise of superlative images of the country, lured by these immortal works.
 
It is not surprising then to realize that American artist Fred Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966), the most reproduced painter in the history of art, began and ended his career with the form he most loved to create: the landscape. Parrish did not come by this achievement easily. He made a small detour of approximately thirty-five years through the fields of illustration before he could afford to do what had always been his goal: work as a landscape artist. In his landscape work he ascended from illustration to fine easel art, and because of his landscapes, his peers began acknowledging him in museums and art institutions.
 
Parrish was born to Stephen Parrish and Elizabeth Bancroft Parrish in Philadelphia on July 25, 1870. His father, who was descended from a long line of very respected Quaker physicians, broke the mold established by his ancestors and became a painter and etcher of some note. Stephen married well. Elizabeth Bancroft’s inheritance, personal wealth, and investments allowed the young husband to spend summer months traveling with his talented son and painting both in Europe and in Annisquam, Massachusetts. The painting camaraderie between father and son remained close and warm throughout their lifetimes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898155878
• ISBN-13: 978-0898155877
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 0.6 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book with rarely seen landscapes, August 14, 1999

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Maxfield Parrish: The Landscapes (Hardcover)

Some of Maxfield Parrish's least known but most vibrantly beautiful works are the landscapes featured in this book. Here is his ultimate mastery of light and color.

Although commercial illustration built his fame and fortune, Parrish's true love was landscape painting. Many excerpts from his correspondence attest to this fact and provide a remarkable glimpse into the background of the artist.

There are several pages of photos of Parrish's estate, "The Oaks", which provided the inspiration for many of his works. Now owned by the author, it is evident how these magnificent grounds are reflected in the paintings.

The book concludes with 34 full page color plates of landscape paintings produced for the Brown & Bigelow Co. from 1936-1963. Having been a Parrish fan for years, I found several new favorites here.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, June 15, 2005

By 

N. Lincoln (Sonoma,CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maxfield Parrish: The Landscapes (Hardcover)

I was very disappointed in this book. I have been a huge Maxfield Parrish fan since the early 70's. His landscapes are my favorite. But this book has very few paintings from the artist and seems to focus more on the photos of the farm where he lived. I felt that I was very misled by the title 'The Landscapes'. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I thought it was a waste of money. I have seen more of his Landscapes in magazine articles!

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Is this book about MP's work or Alma Gilbert World?, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maxfield Parrish: The Landscapes (Hardcover)

If I could have found a copy of this book to preview before ordering I never would have bought this book. Far, far too many pages and current photos devoted to the landscape surrounding his home. And as I said before, Is this book about the landscape paintings of Maxfield Parrish or is it about Alma Gilbert and her ties to his life? This book was a disappointment to me.