$30,810
Maxfield Parrish (American, 1870-1966) Summer , 1908 Initialed "M · P" l. l., inscribed "Maxfield Parrish./Windsor:Vermont." in the artist's hand on the backing. Oil on canvas laid on board, 21 x 16 in. (53.4 x 40.7 cm), framed. Condition: Craquelure, minor retouch. N.B. The lot is accompanied by the original sales receipt made out to Mr. Arthur Goadby from The New York Co-operative Society dated May 26, 1909, and by a handwritten letter from Maxfield Parrish to Arthur Goadby, dated November 10th, 1915. Parrish's letter responds to a note of appreciation sent by Mr. Goadby to the artist. In his reply, Parrish discusses the title, "Summer," and relates that, ..."it was begun as a painting of 'Pandora' reclining against the box and idly fingering the knot. Afterwards it was cut down and changed to its present form. May be the dealer gave it the name of 'Summer.' I dare say it was merely a guess, and any name you may see fit to give it, I am sure will answer just as well. The landscape was purely imaginative, and the figure partly painted from life. It was painted here in Cornish, and represents no particularly country." Further jottings from Mr. Goadby include a photograph of The Vale of Tempe in Thessaly, and his notes drawing parallels between that landscape and his Parrish painting. Goadby writes, "it is remarkable that the artist had conceived an imaginary scene laid in Greece which later is shown to be so accurate." So struck was Goadby by the similarity
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2011-09-09
