Maxfield Parrish's painting Daybreak (1922) has always been one of my most favorite pieces of artwork. And, rightly so, as it has been regarded as the most popular art print of the 20th century, based on number of prints made, one for every four American homes. Still in print, it has outsold Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans and Da Vinci's Last Supper. Parrish even considered it his "greatest painting", the epitome of his work.
Parrish was an American painter and illustrator born in 1870. His work was known for the distinctive saturated hues and idealized neo-classical imagery. He achieved his vibrant luminous colors through a glazing process, which he discovered during a bout of tuberculosis in 1890. The color Parrish Blue was named after him. He was raised in a Quaker home where he, as a child, began drawing for his own entertainment. With his parents' encouragement, he sharpened his skills, and, by 1910, he was making over $100,000 a year, at a time when houses sold for $2,000. American painter Norman Rockwell considered Parrish as, "my idol".
Pencil studies for the painting shows three female figures, using his regular models, Kitty Owen, Susan Lewin and Parrish's youngest child, a daughter named Jean. Kitty Owen was the granddaughter of William Jennings Bryan, religious advocate during the Scope's Monkey Trial in 1925. The third figure, originally planned to share the space with the right hand column, did not make it to the final painting.
The painting has always been in private ownership. Daybreak was purchased by a private collector (Mel Gibson's then-wife, Robyn) on May 25, 2006 at a Christie's auction for $7.6 million, setting a record for Parrish's works. It sold again in 2010 for $5.2 million. Which goes to prove my wife's charge that I have expensive taste.
Pop culture continues to be influenced by Parrish's works, including album covers for Elton John, The Moody Blues, Peter Murphy and Mick Karn and Enya. Michael Jackson also emulated Daybreak in his music video, "You Are Not Alone" with Lisa Marie Presley.
Parrish developed arthritis and accepted his last commission in the late 1950's. By 1960, arthritis had put an end to his painting. He spent his last years in a wheelchair. He died on March 30, 1966 at the age of 95.