He had a 47-year-long association with TheSaturday Evening Post, for which he provided over 320 cover images.
Rendered in his signature realist style, Rockwells paintings were executed with an immense amount of detail.
He often used humor in his work and executed his scenes with tremendous respect for his subjects.
“Boy With Baby Carriage” by Norman Rockwell, 1916.Photo:Wikimedia Commons(Public domain)
The legendary illustrator wanted to create work that made viewers want to sigh and smile at the same time.
But even today, his work stands out in the memory of many.
Here are six Normal Rockwell paintings that define his prolific career.
“A Red Cross Man in the Making” by Norman Rockwell, 1918. Photo:Wikimedia Commons(Public domain)
This humorous depiction of boyhood features three figures and a wicker carriage with a baby inside it.
The painting explores the theme of coming-of-age and captures the trials and tribulations of the human experience.
Rockwell was particularly talented at provoking empathy for his characters.
“Freedom From Want” by Norman Rockwell, 1942. Photo:Wikimedia Commons(Public domain)
A scout is depicted attending to the injury of a small dog, while a larger dog looks concerned.
The painting was chosen to be used as Rockwell’s first calendar cover for the Boy Scouts of America.
Freedom From Want, 1942
Freedom From Want by Norman Rockwell, 1942.
The iconic work represents an idealized view of the post-war American Dream.
The strongRosie the Rivetercharacter represented many of these invaluable women who were recruited to helped to build war supplies.
The popular image is still used today as a symbol for feminism and female empowerment.
Rosie is based on real-life Vermont resident, Mary Doyle O’Keefe.
I was very pleased […] I am proud of this painting, said OKeefe years later.
The Discovery, 1956
The Discoverwas the last of Rockwells popular holiday-themed covers for The Post.
(Although he continued to contribute illustrations for seven years after.)
Rockwells wide-eyed model, Scott Ingram, became a minor celebrity at the time.
It was one of two all-white public schools that implemented desegregation in 1960.
During the dramatic shift, the school experienced riots and death threats against Black children.
For her safety, Ruby had to be escorted to school each day by four United States Marshals.
Published in 1964, the poignant painting was Rockwells first forLOOKmagazine.
