[Rembrandt_fan]

You wrote, "...his work won't be celebrated years after his death the way Rockwell's is."

I agree. Kincaid's work simply won't hold up over time--there's an underlying cynicism to his work, in my view: he plucks the heartstrings too loudly, thus, falsely. Rockwell's work, on the other hand, for all its sentimentality, rings true. It touches a universal chord and--in its way--resonates with the emotions Rockwell attempts to convey. 'Sweetness', for example, is just as genuine as angst and alienation, and just as universal. Would to God more artists were interested in evoking delight rather than anger and contempt.

[Sam Cree]

"Rockwell's work, on the other hand, for all its sentimentality, rings true."

Exactly.

[pollyannaish]

Yes! Cynically manipulative.

That is how I interpret them as well. Helen Steiner Rice vs. Robert Frost. However, I completely respect that others enjoy and find peace in them.

[river rat]

I've visited the Kinkade Gallery in Capitola, CA a few times while at the beach....

The Gallery features Kinkade ONLY..
It's a dark room with special lights focused on each of the pieces..

The effect is beautiful - but more fantasy than lifelike or believable.. Often there are conflicting aspects in the painting -- put there for effect, but rendering the picture more cartoon that art.

However, some are positively beautiful - but overpriced.

Semper Fi

[Darnright]

>'Sweetness', for example, is just as genuine as angst and alienation, and just as universal. Would to God more artists were interested in evoking delight rather than anger and contempt.<

I believe you just crystalized the difference between those people who have studied art and the general public. Artists understand that a fellow craftsman meant to leave a person feeling unsettled when viewing a piece, but the average person sees the work, and feels the emotion, but doesn't understand the underlying purpose.