About Maxfield Parrish
A Beloved American Painter and Illustrator
About Maxfield Parrish
Maxfield Parrish (1870–1966) was one of America’s most celebrated artists, renowned for his luminous landscapes, iconic illustrations, and the vivid “Parrish blue” skies that became his signature. Parrish’s painting Daybreak (1922) has been cited as the most memorable art print of the 20th century.
Although widely celebrated on a national stage, with his work appearing on magazine covers, advertisements, and in fine art collections, Maxfield Parrish was continually drawn to the natural beauty of Plainfield, New Hampshire. A member of the Cornish Art Colony, he found enduring inspiration in the Upper Valley’s landscape, which shaped his artistic vision for nearly seventy years and is most vividly expressed in the Stage Set he designed and created for the Plainfield Village Town Hall in 1916.
Maxfield Parrish’s artistic legacy extends well beyond Plainfield. His use of color and imaginative landscapes continues to influence artists, designers, filmmakers, and musicians around the world.
Across decades and disciplines, Parrish’s approach to light, color, and atmosphere has shaped how visual stories are told. His ideas continue to inform art, music, and film, long after the height of his career.