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Happy Birthday Norman Rockwell

Home - by - February 3, 2012 - 21:30 America/New_York - 21 Comments

February 3rd, 1894  -  November 8th, 1978

» 21 Comments

  1. Chuck U Farley

    February 3rd, 2012

    Happy Birthday Mr. Rockwell. You brought much joy to many Americans.

    Many dismiss Rockwell as a artist. I always considered him an inspiration. Most all his work always brings a smile, or a tear. Art should bring out emotion, and inspiration. That’s where Rockwell succeeds.

    …and I thought his self-portrait was whimsical genius.

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  2. serfer62

    February 3rd, 2012

    One of the 3 great “R”…Remington, Rockwell & Roget
    making art that lives

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  3. Maudie N Mandeville

    February 3rd, 2012

    Ahh, I see he’s reading ‘Rules for Radicals’

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  4. Piker

    February 3rd, 2012

    I always liked Norman Rockwell’s paintings…which is something that a lot of pretentious art snobs would look down their long noses at me for… Feck ‘em… I’ve gone round and round with that art vs illustration argument… my stance is if you like it and can hang it on your wall, it’s art.

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  5. Name Redacted™

    February 3rd, 2012

    His art was ridiculed as being too commercial and maudlin by the “Art Community” of the day, but I bet Norman Rockwell’s images will still be respected in 200 years, while Picasso will be laughed at.

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  6. Jayne

    February 3rd, 2012

    Thanks, Fur. Very nice post and reminder or a fine gentleman and artist.

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  7. illustr8r

    February 3rd, 2012

    :)
    The best exhibition I have ever seen was the Norman Rockwell show at the Tacoma Art Museum last year. I’m not sure if it’s still traveling or not…if it is and it’s in your area-GO!

    I was happy for weeks after spending all day there looking and studying and generally being in total awe of his ability as an illustrator…and his love for America.

    Someday, I’ll make it to his Stockbridge, Mass. museum if the libs will let me across the border. I have WA creds-they won’t suspect a thing. ;)

    :) Rockwell, rocks. :) )

    Noteworthy Comment Thumb up +18

     

  8. Jayne

    February 3rd, 2012

    Did he get an endowment from the feds or do they save that for crappy vile immature losers who think defecation products are highbrow?

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  9. Menderman

    February 3rd, 2012

    Did he build the model ships as well?

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  10. xthred

    February 3rd, 2012

    We used to have a great civilization.

    Noteworthy Comment Thumb up +11

     

  11. Mark Zist

    February 3rd, 2012

    They hate him because he is happy and people like his work.

    Noteworthy Comment Thumb up +16

     

  12. Starfighter

    February 3rd, 2012

    Here are some of my favorites. Nothing special, just Americana.

    In
    No
    Particular
    Order

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  13. Claudia

    February 3rd, 2012

    My Mom loves his work. Thanks for posting this, illustr8r!

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  14. Debbie

    February 3rd, 2012

    I had a Rockwell book back when I was in my 20′s. I inspected every square inch of those amazing works of art.

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  15. Bob M.

    February 3rd, 2012

    Scout Sunday is next Sunday – LOVE all his Scouting artwork. It inspires boys still to strive for great things. :-D

    http://blog.chambermagic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Norman-Rockwell-Poster-Card-C10231128.jpeg.jpg

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  16. norman einstein

    February 3rd, 2012

    Love, love, love his studio!
    Beautiful floors, high ceilings and great light.

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  17. Unsubsidized art !

    February 3rd, 2012

    Thanks BFH
    We should celebrate people like Lincoln more often. The lib idiots controlling the classrooms & DC would rather subsidize crap art (literally) & crap people like OWS.

    I’m new to IOTW. I don’t know if many of you have seen these before:

    http://sethadamsmith.com/2010/09/07/the-forgotten-man/

    A painter named Jon McNaughton paints in a similar style to Rockwell & the “masters” from the earlier days of this country.
    It’s nice to see someone still painting like this.

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  18. Boobie the Rocket Dog

    February 4th, 2012

    Rockwell used my cousin for a model for his Saturday Evening Post cover about the 1940 census. My mom saved that issue for years and just before he died she sent the cover to Mr. Rockwell for an autograph. He inscribed a very nice tribute on it along with the autograph and sent it back. Mom then had it framed and gave it to Brian, the cousin in the painting for his fiftieth birthday.

    Brian is now 72 and still an actor (and closet conservative) in NYC.

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  19. JaneLovesJesus

    February 4th, 2012

    I just hung up a poster of “Freedom of Speech” (also visible in the bottom pic) on my wall.

    . . . And taped on an “Undefeated” (Sarah Palin) pin onto his jacket ;) It just seemed to fit!

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  20. Aunt Liz

    February 4th, 2012

    I love Rockwell’s work. As others commented, it brings me pleasure to see it. Pffft to the art snobs.

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  21. muddjuice

    February 4th, 2012

    A true American classic. That’s art. Not this crap that my 4 yr old could make by puking on the carpet….

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