Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish Lithographic Print

This item is a large-format lithographic print of the iconic 1922 painting 'Daybreak' by American artist Maxfield Parrish. The scene depicts two female figures in a lush, neo-classical landscape overlooking a calm body of water with towering mountains in the background, illuminated by the radiant, amber glow of dawn. The color palette is characteristic of Parrish’s work, featuring vibrant 'Parrish Blue' sky tones and warm, golden earth tones. The print is housed in a wide, rectangular wooden frame with a decorative gilded or metallic bronze-finish molding featuring repetitive scrollwork or foliate motifs. The construction suggests an early to mid-20th-century mass-market production, which was highly popular in American homes. The print is protected behind glass, though visible glare suggests it may not be museum-grade anti-reflective glazing. Regarding condition, the frame shows possible light surface wear and minor scuffing consistent with age, while the print appears relatively well-preserved without significant fading or water damage visible in the provided image. The overall style is Art Nouveau/American Illustration, and the craftsmanship of the frame reflects typical 1920s-1940s residential interior decor quality.

I have virtually examined this large-format lithographic print of Maxfield Parrish’s 'Daybreak.' This specific piece appears to be a period-accurate House of Art (New York) or Reinthal & Newman reproduction, dating roughly to the mid-1920s. The frame is a period-correct 'Parrish Frame,' featuring the characteristic gilded gesso scrollwork typical of the era's mass-market interior decor. The color saturation remains surprisingly vibrant, suggesting it was kept out of direct sunlight, though I note minor surface abrasions on the frame's edges. Market demand for 'Daybreak' remains steady as it is culturally iconic; however, because it was the most popular print of the 20th century, rarity is low. Value is heavily driven by the presence of the original ornate frame and the size of the lithograph. Current auction comparables for large-format versions in original frames typically range from $350 to $700 depending on the lack of foxing or water damage. Limitations of this assessment include the inability to inspect the paper's reverse for acid burns or to examine the printing dot pattern under magnification to confirm the exact lithographic process used. A physical inspection would be required to verify if the print has been trimmed or if there is hidden pest damage to the wooden stretcher. To fully authenticate, I would require provenance documentation or a removal from the frame to check for a publisher’s mark or copyright line, which are often obscured by the rabbet of the frame.