Maxfield Parrish has long been considered one of the most popular American artists of the twentieth century. Brilliant blue skies, pastoral landscapes, and captivating figures are his art's signature characteristics. Yet the universal interest in Parrish's art has, in the past, hindered his work from receiving scholarly attention. Maxfield Parrish 1870-1966 offers a critical look at his life and career.

As an artist who produced images intended for a mass audience, Parrish's widespread appeal has been the most defining aspect of his reputation. His breadth was enormous; covers for magazines such as Harper's Bazar, Scribners, Century, and Life; book jackets; theater sets; paintings; photographs; murals in fine hotels like New York's St. Regis; and graphic work ranging from posters to calendars.

This extensive look at the life and career of Maxfield Parrish is realized in the insightful texts of Sylvia Yount and Mark F. Bockrath. Including a wealth of never-before-published full-color illustrations, and a discussion of the physical construction of Parrish's paintings and his unique techniques.

Maxfield Parrish 1870-1966 will appeal to readers who enjoy the purely aesthetic nature of Parrish's art, as well as to those interested in the more critical assessment of his place in the history of American art.