Norman Rockwell Paintings

In a time where everything was done manually and no computer existed, Norman Rockwell made his illustrations in oil on canvas, board or paper to be later printed for the magazine(s) and commisioners he was working with. Later in his career he also used photography a lot for his models and scenes.

He (like others like him) strongly believed in drawing and painting from life, composing the scene and using real models.

"under the mistletoe", 1936, oil on canvas 37'' x32'' (94x81,3cm), sold by Sothebys in a recent auction in New York for $752'000. Among Rockwell collectors, Hollywood stars obviously (e.g. Steven Spielberg)

It is interesting to read that:

The American public responded enthusiastically to these images; as Thomas Buechner writes: "...people, millions of them, enjoy his point of view. It is their point of view, full of things they remember or can imagine or would like to imagine. He does not try to change things; he invites people to chuckle, not to despair; to join the gang of regular fellows, not to stand alone; to reminisce, not to prophesy" (Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator, 1970, p.24).

 

 

From the Lucas - Spielberg Collection

Both Hollywood directors were fascinated by Rockwell's illustration when they were just two kids and certainly took inspirations for some of their later works (American Graffiti, Star Wars, Indiana Jones...)

Browse here this excellent online exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum!

Polley Vos Fransaiy? Life, 1917

I can "see" something of Munier here. Rockwell must have known the work of this popular French painters for the many reproductions of his paintings which were circulating.

Back to civil life from War World II

Return from Norman Rockwell Paintings back to the homepage

Return from Norman Rockwell Paintings back to the Norman Rockwell webpage

Subscribe To This Site