I’ve always liked that painting. I don’t get the “illustrator” criticism, especially when it’s being put forward by a leftist critic. They accept all methods including the most banal and talentless. It seems arbitrary to reject him on that basis. Of course, in their minds you’re less of a free spirit, or something, when your art is for hire. The criticism is ideological — they’re hung up on capitalism as usual — and in my opinion can be dismissed.
The pin-up artists like Gil Elvgren and Vargas were also great, but their works were found in magazines (usually *not* on the cover), and while sometimes clever, and usually amusing, and always stimulating, they lacked range. Another “just an illustrator” was Maxfield Parrish; he was brushed off as trivial, but lived so long (died at 95, nearly 96 yrs) that he saw not only a revival of interest in his work, but saw it being taken seriously as well. Basically, Rockwell’s mistake was in taking *critics’ opinions* too seriously.