Original mixed-media architectural study: ornate pilaster with a geometric pattern

No place, 1895. Original mixed-media architectural study by American illustrator Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) for an ornate pilaster with a geometric pattern. Parrish renders the acanthus leaf motif on the capital of this Ionic column in a fine ink stipple. The mounted grille, a found object made of compressed fiberboard, features a hand-punched repeating key design; when laid over a base of inked horizontal lines, the grille creates a shadow resembling Arabic tessellation. Close comparison of these details with Parrish’s published illustrations suggests that this study is likely a variant for the December 1896 cover of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, though it may also be a trial drawing for the feature “Christmas Eve” by Ednah Proctor Clarke, published in The Century Magazine in December 1898. Parrish relied heavily on the use of cut-outs, photographs, and props to create compositions in line with classical formulas of harmonic proportion: this three-dimensional collaged study reflects that staging process. Parrish gave many of his cut-outs and preparatory studies, including this one, to fantasy author and illustrator Hannes Bok (born Wayne Francis Woodard, 1914-1964). Parrish was a longtime mentor to Bok, offering him art lessons at his New Hampshire farm and corresponding with him for decades. Provenance: The Artist; Hannes Bok; by bequest to Clarence Peacock; Illustration House, directly from the above; private collection, New York. An exquisite and detailed architectural drawing by a master of American illustration. Ink on illustration board with fiberboard grille detail mounted to image, measuring 13.25 x 3 inches, unsigned. Grille has a few small areas of loss, stray ink marks from artist’s brush along left border of drawing. Archivally matted and framed in ornate burnished gilt wood frame to 21 x 11.5 inches, a few small chips to frame. (Inventory #: 1003874)