Stephen Parrish

"Sketch Near Pittsfield, " realist landscape ink sketch rural scene signed

1882

Stephen Parrish was one of the leading etchers in America. Although his paintings were received with favor and were shown regularly in New York and at exhibitions throughout the country, he was more widely known for his etchings, especially those of New England coastal scenes. Parrish was engaged in mercantile pursuits until he was 30, when he applied himself to arts, studying for a year with a local teacher. In 1878, he first exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy in Philadelphia, and in 1879 at the National Academy in New York City. He soon turned his attention also to etching, and in December 1879, produced his first plate. After that he applied himself to both branches of arts, exhibiting in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, London, Liverpool, Paris, Munich, Dresden and Vienna. He was a member of the New York Etching Club and the Society of Painter-Etchers of London. From 1884 to 1886, he traveled in Europe. His etchings include Northern Moorland and Low Tide — Bay of Fundy (1882); Coast of New Brunswick, Winter Evening — Windsor, Nova Scotia, and Bethlehem (1884); London Bridge and On the Thames (1886); and A Gloucester Wharf (1887). Among his paintings are November (1880); In Winter Quarters (1884); Low Tide — Evening (1885); On the Rance, Brittany (1886) and The Road to Perry's Peak. He also made etchings of several of his pictures.