MAXFIELD PARRISH (American, 1870-1966). Self Portrait as Jack Frost, Collier's cover study, 1936. Oil on board. 20 x 16 ...

Description

MAXFIELD PARRISH (American, 1870-1966)
Self Portrait as Jack Frost, Collier's cover study, 1936
Oil on board
20 x 16 in.
Not signed
This finely finished preliminary preceded the final published version. In this whimsical study, Parrish portrayed himself as Jack Frost, with elf-like ears and related fantasy characteristics. This piece was the penultimate step towards the final figurative subject that Parrish painted. Once the published piece was completed for the October 1936 issue, Parrish devoted the remainder of his career to landscape subjects.

As Sylvia Yount wrote in Maxfield Parrish 1870-1966, "Although Parrish terminated his contract with Collier's magazine in 1910 in order to concentrate on mural commissions, Collier's continued to publish designs for the next three years, and in 1936, invited the artist to contribute a cover image. Parrish, supposedly on the advice of his youngest daughter Jean, produced what would be both his last figurative work and magazine illustration. In yet another veiled self-portrait, the artist depicted himself as Jack Frost working on a landscape with a brush."


PROVENANCE:
Vose Gallery label

From the Estate of Charles Martignette.

More information about Parrish, Jean Artist.

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