NORMAN
ROCKWELL
The Reflection of the American Culture
Norman Percevel Rockwell was an American artist and illustrator whose work has captured the hearts of many for over a century. Born in New York City in 1894, Rockwell began his career as an illustrator at the young age of 16, working for various magazines and newspapers. He is best known for his covers for The Saturday Evening Post, a magazine that featured his illustrations for over four decades.
Rockwell's artwork is characterized by its realism, attention to detail, and ability to tell a story in a single image. His paintings often depict everyday American life, with a focus on small-town values and traditions. His work often featured children, families, and community life, capturing a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time.
One of Rockwell's most famous works is "Freedom from Want," also known as "The Thanksgiving Picture," which was featured as the cover of The Saturday Evening Post on March 6, 1943. The painting depicts a family gathered around a table for a Thanksgiving meal, with the mother holding a turkey, the father carving it, and the children and grandparents looking on with anticipation. The painting symbolizes the American ideal of a happy family and a bountiful feast, and it has become an iconic image of the holiday.
Another one of Rockwell's most recognizable works is "The Four Freedoms," a series of four paintings commissioned by the U.S. government during World War II. The paintings, which depict freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want, were intended to rally support for the war effort and to remind Americans of the values for which they were fighting.
Rockwell's work continues to be popular and widely recognized, and his paintings are featured in galleries and museums across the country. His paintings and illustrations have also been featured in a number of books, and his work has been the subject of several documentaries.