Norman Rockwell :: essays research papers

Norman Rockwell was one of America’s greatest illustrators of this century who made many significant contributions to the field of graphic design with his works that promoted patriotic unity, conveyed the national scene, and often time just evoked or inspired emotions in his audiences. Ironically this painter was regarded as an illustrator in the eyes of other freelance artists due to his occupational limitations, and his supervisor’s restrictions characteristic of the Saturday Evening Post where he did most of his work from 1916 to 1963. Rockwell was born on February 3, 1894 and since his childhood years had always aspired to be an artist. Instead of finishing high school Rockwell left high school to attend classes at the National Academy of Design and later on the Art Students League in New York. Here Rockwell was recognized as an above average illustrator with good potential. Rockwell then after developing his skills and contributing many illustrations to childre n’s magazines, managed to muster up the courage to show his work to a bigger periodical, the Saturday Evening Post. Happy with the quality of Rockwell’s work the Post gave Rockwell a job creating illustrations and cover art for its periodicals. This would be his arena, revealing his works to thousands of people, for over forty years. During this period Rockwell painted portraits of various celebrities and persona. Rockwell was a "people painter" and predominantly worked with the depiction of emotions inspired by his models. Rockwell always took particular care in picking and choosing his models as he was very pragmatic and wanted them to exhibit characteristics that met with his peculiar standards. During his time with the Post, Rockwell often made illustrations that effectively conveyed events taking place on the national scene. During different periods in American history Rockwell used his special skill in detail to capture and portray illustrations that ac curately reflected the emotions felt in the hearts of Americans at the time. Rockwell made several illustrations exhibiting events like the Great Depression and World War I. In fact during the second World War Rockwell was motivated by President Roosevelt himself to create one of his greatest projects, The Four Freedoms Paintings, illustrating each of America’s fundamental freedoms and revealing the reason behind the United States’ participation in the war. This Four Freedoms Project is one that reflects Rockwell’s great generosity and kindness as a person. Rockwell agreed to