Celebrate Norman Rockwell and the Saturday Evening Post

Associated Content ^ | February 3, 2010 | William Browning

[iowamark]

If a picture is a thousand words, Norman Rockwell wrote the Encyclopedia Americana of the Twentieth Century. His covers of the Saturday Evening Post filled American homes for 323 covers spanning fifty years according to the Norman Rockwell Museum. His work didn't end there. Other magazines and snippets of Americana crept into our living rooms on a periodic basis from World War I up until the time of his death in 1978.

Born on February 3, 1894, Norman Rockwell showed an aptitude for art at a young age. At age 14, he enrolled in the Chase Art School and did many drawings for magazines at the time before becoming the official artist for Boy's Life Magazine when it was first published in 1913. From that moment on, Rockwell's work became a part of American life as much as paying taxes and voting. His work went beyond the Saturday Evening Post, which he left in 1963, to pursue other magazines and covers.

Rockwell's effort for World War II came from his service to his country when he enlisted in the Navy for World War I and was an official artist for the military. His paintings also said many things as to the current social commentary during his life including poverty, injustice, civil rights, war, and everything that was American. From football to turkey to patriotism, no subject went unnoticed by the keen eye of Rockwell. Every month, families expected a Rockwell to grace the cover of the Saturday Evening Post...

[rlmorel]

I think you are probably right. I was being too general, and you were right to point that out to me.

I had heard various accounts over the years he could be very crotchety and ideosynchronistic. But as with most things, you hear the negatives more often and louder.

They don't highlight that at the museum, as you can guess.

Personally (for me) what he did to capture the essence of America at its best and display it for the rest of us is excuse enough. I grant him artistic license...:)

[rlmorel]

Besides, where the hell do I get off calling someone crochety?

I should never post early in the morning...

[rlmorel]

Bwaaahhaahaha!

That always kills me...they don’t mind turning up their nose at the concept of making money, but if it comes their way, they are happy to accept it with the other hand when they think nobody notices!

That would ruin their image...:)

[rlmorel]

Did you sit in the rocking chairs and drink ice tea at the Red Lion???

Nice on a summer day, and just watch the traffic going by!