MAXFIELD PARRISH (American, 1870-1966). The Little Peach, 1902. Oil on stretched paper. 21 x 14-3/4 inches (53.3 x 37.5 ...

Description

MAXFIELD PARRISH (American, 1870-1966)
The Little Peach, 1902
Oil on stretched paper
21 x 14-3/4 inches (53.3 x 37.5 cm)
Signed lower right: M.P.
Signed, dated and inscribed verso: Maxfield Parrish / "The Oaks" / Windsor: Vermont. / October of 1902

PROVENANCE:
Sale: Illustration House, Inc., New York, n.d.;
Private collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, acquired from the above.

LITERATURE:
Ladies' Home Journal, March 1903, frontispiece, illustrated;
W. Holland and D. Congdon-Martin, "The Collectible Maxfield Parrish," Scribner's, New York, 1993, pp. 44, 80, illustrated;
TeNeues Publishing Co., Maxfield Parrish: Illustrated Fairy Tales, calendar illustration, New York, 1999, illustrated;
E. Flacks, Maxfield Parrish: Identification and Price Guide, Portland, Oregon, 2001, 2003, p. 155, illustrated;
L. Cutler et al., Maxfield Parrish and the American Imagists, Edison, New Jersey, 2004, p. 202, illustrated;
M. Parrish and J.A. Menges, Worlds of Enchantment: The Art of Maxfield Parrish, Mineola, New York, 2010, pl. 30, illustrated.

The present work was painted by the artist to accompany the following poem titled, "The Little Peach" from the children's book, Poems of Childhood written by Eugene Field, published in 1904. The boy and girl depicted in this narrative are likely John and Mabel Churchill, the children of Parrish's closest friend and neighbor, American author Winston Churchill (1871-1947). They are seated upon a cement wall that surrounded their home and garden, with a clearly breathtaking view in the distance. The family's property, designed by famed architect Charles Platt, was christened "Harlakenden," after wife Mabel Churchill's maiden name. The imposing entrance with its stone balls sited upon brick entry pillars was also incorporated into another one of Field's storybook illustrations in, The Sugar Plum Tree. Interestingly enough, on the family's property grew various fruit trees, including peach and plum. The famous and imposing estate was also at one time used as a vacation home for President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson.

"A little peach in the orchard grew,
A little peach of emerald hue;
Warmed by the sun and wet by the dew,

It grew.

One day, passing that orchard through,
That little peach dawned on the view
Of Johnny Jones and his sister Sue,

Them two.

Up at that peach a club they threw,
Down from the stem on which it grew
Fell that peach of emerald hue.

Mon Dieu!

John took a bite and Sue a chew,
And then the trouble began to brew,
Trouble the doctor couldn't subdue.

Too true!

Under the turf where the daisies grew
They planted John and his sister Sue,
And their little souls to the angels flew,

Boo hoo!

What of that peach of the emerald hue,
Warmed by the sun, and wet by the dew?
Ah, well, its mission on earth is through.

Adieu!"

- Eugene Fields, Poems of Childhood


More information about MAXFIELD PARRISH. See also: Parrish, Maxfield, Maxfield Parrish, Parrish, F. Maxfield, Parrish, Maxfield Frederick Artist.



*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.