On 3rd February 2023, we will be celebrating the 129th birthday of Norman Rockwell.
Normal Rockwell was one of the most famous American illustrators in the world. Born in New York in 1894, and died in Massachusetts in 1978. His title was the “storyteller” of America. His most famous works depicts the history of the USA in the 20th century.
In his early days as an artist, Norman Rockwell joined the New York School of Art and two years later, he pursued the continuation of his studies at the National Academy of Design. At the young age of 18, he was selected to illustrate a book. This book was called Tell Me Why: Stories about Mother Nature by Carl H. Claudy. Rockwell then joined the Saturday Evening Post at the age of 22 and illustrated with them for 47 years.
In 1943, Rockwell’s rendition of Rosie the Riveter was published by the Saturday Evening Post. His version illustrates a woman industrial worker on her lunch break. Rosie is seen with a rivet gun on her lap and Hitler’s writing under her boot. An iconic artist illustrating an iconic woman.
Norman is lesser known for his advertising; many brands had asked him to illustrate images to boost their sales. From Campbell’s to Kellogg’s, he created a huge influence on aspiring artists across the globe. In addition to his brand work, Norman Rockwell also produced a series of movie posters, music album covers, and novel covers.
Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas both own an impressive collection of original and authentic illustrations of Rockwell’s work.
Saying Grace depicts a boy and an older woman joining in prayer at a public restaurant. When Rockwell created it for The Saturday Evening Post in 1951, the job earned him $3500. Fast-forward to a December 2013 auction when an unidentified buyer shelled out $46 million to take it home. That sum more than tripled the previous highest price paid for a Rockwell—Breaking Home Ties had sold for $15 million in 2006.
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