The Lanthenas Iris (also known as 'Iris')
Original Print / Lithograph • Maxfield Parrish
Style & Movement
American Golden Age of Illustration / Art Nouveau influence / Romanticism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography/offset print on paper, likely based on an oil on panel original. The technique mimics the 'Parrish blue' and luminous glazing of the artist's original paintings.
Creation Period
Circa 1905-1920 (based on original painting dated 1905 and subsequent print distribution)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 10 inches (image) in a vertical portrait format, housed in a custom wide-profile Art Nouveau style frame.
Subject Description
A profile of a partially nude Grecian or exoticized woman holding a purple iris. She wears a coral necklace and an ornate earring/headdress. In the background is a stylized, mosaic-like circular pattern (halo or lunette) common in Parrish's classical compositions.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The colors appear vibrant without significant UV fading, and the frame is well-preserved.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $1,200 (for an original period print in high-quality custom framing; original paintings fetch $100k+)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $800
Provenance History
Likely a residential acquisition during the height of Parrish's popularity in the early 20th century. Modern metadata indicates it was processed through an appraisal service (as seen in the screenshot text).
Art Historical Significance
Maxfield Parrish was one of the most successful American illustrators. This work exemplifies his 'idealized feminine' archetype and his mastery of light. It represents a period where high-art aesthetics were being mass-produced for the growing American middle-class home.
Notable Features
The distinctive custom frame is carved in an Art Nouveau/Arts and Crafts style that complements the period sensibilities of Parrish's work. The mosaic background shows a transition between his earlier illustrative style and his later landscape work.
Condition Issues
Possible minor acidity from original backing boards common in early 20th-century prints; potential slight yellowing of the paper in the margins hidden by the matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Glass should be replaced with Museum Grade UV-filtering acrylic if not already present. Keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity.