Born Frederick Parrish in Philadelphia, his father, distinguished American etcher Stephen Parrish, significantly influenced Parrish's work. During an 1883 trip to Europe, the young Parrish caught typhoid and, during his long recuperation, his father taught him to draw. Inspired to become an artist, Parrish was drawn to the meticulous egg tempera technique of the Old Masters and romantic subjects of the Pre- Raphaelites, both of which shaped his vision and technique which eventually combined naturalism, romanticism and pure fantasy.

During study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Art and exposure to master illustrator Howard Pyle at the Drexel Institute Parrish expanded his knowledge from intuitive to professional illustrator. Painting historic and romanticized subjects, he often used... [View Full Biography]