Norman rockwell biography in english

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Started at bottom in art school

Rockwell enrolled first in the National Academy School and then attended the Art Students League. The author of Norman’s biography “Norman Rockwell: A Life” Laura Claridge said, that she had seen him an incredibly talented artist, well-educated, high-minded man with strong beliefs, but who was prone to depressions.

His family would spend summers away from the city, a welcomed respite for young Rockwell. By the 1940s, the compositions became more complex and interesting, he made story artworks with complex scenarios played out.

During World War II, the artist decided to tell in his works what the American soldiers were fighting for and created his most famous series The Four Freedoms.

He was a master of humour and at the same time, he could precisely imitate the dramatic moment, reaching a stage effect.

In 1993 a new Rockwell museum was opened near Stockbridge. His parents were very religious, and the young Rockwell sang in the church choir.

norman rockwell biography in english

In 1977 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford for "vivid and affectionate portraits of our country," the United States’ highest civilian honor. Paramount Pictures responded positively to this idea and suggested to draw Gary Cooper as a cowboy who starred in “The Virginian”.

Watching the Hollywood routine “in the wings”, he chose plots for his art: stars, who got tired of their popularity and frustrated girls who came for casting with the hope of becoming an actress, but forced to engage in a non-romantic profession.

Luck was on the two girls’ side, the models of Norman.

Rockwell noted that, as Donald Walton wrote in his book A Rockwell Portrait, "he

Norman Rockwell. His works often illustrated ordinary and yet humorous scenes of daily life.

Also in 1961 Rockwell received an honorary (obtained without meeting the usual requirements) Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts as well as the Interfaith Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews for his Post cover painting of the Golden Rule.

The magazine's circulation was shrinking at that time, and new management decided to switch to a new format.

Rockwell, his two brothers, and his parents moved to New Rochelle, New York, when Norman was 21 years old. After the war Rockwell started doing advertising illustration, working for Jell-O, Willys cars, and Orange Crush soft drinks, among others.

With Forsythe's help, Norman's innermost wish was fulfilled, he received an order for the cover of the “Post”, which was called “mirror of America”. The secret is not to look back.”

Author: Iryna Olikh

  • Artworks liked by

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  • Artworks in 6 collections and 406 selections

  • Styles of art

    Realism, Regionalism

  • Techniques

    Watercolor, Grisaille, Oil, Pastel, Pencil

  • Art forms

    Painting, Graphics, Drawings and illustrations

  • Subjects

    Still life, Landscape, Portrait, Architecture, Veduta, Genre scene, Animalism, Interior, Allegorical scene

Norman Rockwell Biography

Born: February 3, 1894
New York, New York
Died: November 8, 1978
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
American illustrator

Norman Rockwell's heartwarming illustrations of American life appeared on covers of the Saturday Evening Post magazine for many years.

When people use the expression "as American as apple pie," they could just as well say "as American as a Norman Rockwell painting."

Early years

Norman Perceval Rockwell was born on February 3, 1894, in New York City, the first of Jarvis Waring Rockwell and Nancy Hill's two sons.

Later, in 1959, his wife Mary died unexpectedly of heart failure, which resulted in Rockwell taking time off to grieve. However, the end result was that the pictures were reproduced and requested around the world. Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator. New York: Harry N. Abrams. He died at his home in Stockbridge on November 8, 1978, when he was 84.

Major works

  • Scout at Ship's Wheel (1913) [1]
  • Santa and Scouts in Snow (1913) [2]
  • Boy and Baby Carriage (1916) [3]
  • Circus Barker and Strongman (1916) [4]
  • Gramps at the Plate (1916) [5]
  • Redhead Loves Hatty Perkins (1916) [6]
  • People in a Theatre Balcony (1916) [7]
  • Cousin Reginald Goes to the Country (1917) [8]
  • Santa and Expense Book (1920) [9]
  • Mother Tucking Children into Bed (1921) [10]
  • No Swimming (1921) [11]
  • The Four Freedoms (1943) [12]
  • Freedom of Speech (1943) [13]
  • Freedom to Worship (1943) [14]
  • Freedom from Want (1943) [15]
  • Freedom from Fear (1943) [16]
  • Rosie the Riveter (1943) [17]
  • Going and Coming (1947)
  • Bottom of the Sixth (1949) [18]
  • Saying Grace (1951)
  • Girl at Mirror (1954)
  • Breaking Home Ties (1954) [19]
  • The Marriage License (1955)
  • The Scoutmaster (1956) [20]
  • Triple Self-Portrait (1960) [21]
  • Golden Rule (1961)
  • The Problem We All Live With (1964) [22]
  • New Kids in the Neighborhood (1967)
  • The Rookie
  • Judy Garland (1969)

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Buechner, Thomas S.

    1972.