Norman Rockwell Portrait Paintings
American, 1894-1978
Norman Rockwell is among the most revered painters of the 20th century. His figurative and portrait paintings reflect an innocent and idyllic America described by the artist as "life as I would like it to be." For nearly 50 years, he illustrated the covers of The Saturday Evening Post in a rich and emotive style that gave distinctive personalities to his imagined characters. In total, Norman Rockwell created more than 4,000 works of art over the course of his life.
Rockwell was born in 1894 in New York City. His artistic aspirations took shape early on, and when he was 14 years old, he took classes at the New York School of the Art, which is now the Parsons School of Design. Later, he attended the Art Students League of New York, where he studied under influential painters Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. While still a teen, Rockwell became art director of the Boy Scouts of America publication Boys' Life.
At 21, Rockwell moved to New Rochelle, New York, and opened a studio with fellow illustrator Victor Clyde Forsythe. He created illustrations for magazines like Literary Digest and Life before his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post was published when he was 22. In 1939, after moving to Arlington, Vermont, Rockwell pivoted to making the nostalgic paintings of small-town and iconic America for which he is best known — scenes of Christmas dinner, children playing in the street and national treasures like Ruby Bridges and Rosie the Riveter.
In 1943, a speech previously given by President Franklin Roosevelt inspired Rockwell to create his most famous series, “The Four Freedoms,” which was exhibited all over the United States. The series included four pieces entitled Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.
Rockwell moved with his family to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 1953, where he spent the rest of his life. My Adventures as an Illustrator — the autobiography Rockwell wrote with the help of his son, Thomas — was published in 1960. In 1963, Rockwell ceased working with The Saturday Evening Post and started drawing illustrations for Look magazine.
The world’s largest collection of original Rockwell art can be found at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. The artist was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, and he passed away peacefully in his home the following year.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of original Norman Rockwell paintings, prints, drawings and other works.
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Artist: Norman Rockwell
Blackstone Cigars
By Norman Rockwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming relic of a bygone era, this rare oil is the work of the inimitable American illustrator, Norman Rockwell. The iconic artist’s ability to render the details and nuances of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Other Art Style Norman Rockwell Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Portrait of a Geisha Girl, Pan American World Airways Advertisement
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Date: 1956
Medium: Oil and Pencil on Paperboard
Dimensions: 18.00" x 15.00"
Signature: Signed with the Artist's Initials 'N/R' Lower Right
Pan American World Airways advertising campaign
Exhibitions
West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Norman Rockwell Museum...
Category
1950s Norman Rockwell Portrait Paintings
Materials
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Good Scouts, Life Magazine Cover
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Sight Size 18.00" x 14.00", Framed 25.00" x 21.00"
Signature: Signed Lower Right
Cover of Life Magazine, November 8, 1924
Good Scouts, Girl Scouts...
Category
1920s Norman Rockwell Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
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Man Seated by Radiator by Norman Rockwell
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Combining Norman Rockwell’s remarkable talents for narrative and nostalgia, this oil on canvas by the great American illustrator was almost certainly created as an advertisement for a radiator company. Depicting a kindly old man and his feline companion warming themselves next to the heater, this delightful oil on canvas represents the artist’s immense talent for rendering the nuances of everyday life. The painting boasts extraordinary detail and endless charm, and it is heartwarmingly Rockwellian in all aspects.
With his astute eye for narrative, Rockwell conveys the utility and convenience of a radiator, which was considered a luxury appliance in the early 20th century but was gaining in popularity around the time of this work’s creation circa 1935. Rockwell crafts an inviting setting, drawing viewers into the living space of his charming subject with believable and masterfully executed details, from the gentleman placing his book down for a moment to warm his hand over the radiator to the snow falling outside. The composition’s rich, warm palette enhances the coziness of the scene, and the subject’s friendly smile seems to invite the viewer into the scene.
Rockwell's ability to capture the character of the nation was prized not only by magazine art editors from popular publications such as Life, Literary Digest and the iconic Saturday Evening Post, but also by advertisers. Nearly all major companies of the day sought the artist out for his highly appealing compositions, including Jell-O, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Ford, Post Cereals, and the U.S. Army. Taken together, his many paintings capture the essence of the American spirit. “I paint life as I would like it to be,” Rockwell once said. Mythical, idealistic, and innocent, his paintings evoke a longing for a time and place that existed in his rich imagination and in the hopes and aspirations of the nation.
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Combining Norman Rockwell’s remarkable talents for narrative and nostalgia, this oil on canvas by the great American illustrator was almost certainly created as an advertisement for a radiator company. Depicting a kindly old man and his feline companion warming themselves next to the heater, this delightful oil on canvas represents the artist’s immense talent for rendering the nuances of everyday life. The painting boasts extraordinary detail and endless charm, and it is heartwarmingly Rockwellian in all aspects.
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Rockwell's ability to capture the character of the nation was prized not only by magazine art editors from popular publications such as Life, Literary Digest and the iconic Saturday Evening Post, but also by advertisers. Nearly all major companies of the day sought the artist out for his highly appealing compositions, including Jell-O, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Ford, Post Cereals, and the U.S. Army. Taken together, his many paintings capture the essence of the American spirit. “I paint life as I would like it to be,” Rockwell once said. Mythical, idealistic, and innocent, his paintings evoke a longing for a time and place that existed in his rich imagination and in the hopes and aspirations of the nation.
Norman Rockwell led a long and successful career as an artist. While history was in the making all around him, Rockwell chose to fill his canvases with the small details and nuances of ordinary people in everyday life. Taken together, his many paintings capture the essence of the American spirit. Rockwell said, "Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed." Rockwell's distinguished career earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the highest honor bestowed upon an American civilian.
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Norman Rockwell portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Norman Rockwell portrait paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Norman Rockwell in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Norman Rockwell portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 14 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Edward Marecak, Donald Roy Purdy, and Orovida Pissarro. Norman Rockwell portrait paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $82,000 and tops out at $698,500, while the average work can sell for $350,000.
Artists Similar to Norman Rockwell
Questions About Norman Rockwell Portrait Paintings
- Why is Norman Rockwell famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024Norman Rockwell is famous for his work as an artist. In fact, he is among the most revered painters of the 20th century. His figurative and portrait paintings reflect an innocent and idyllic America described by the artist as "life as I would like it to be." For nearly 50 years, he illustrated the covers of The Saturday Evening Post in a rich and emotive style that gave distinctive personalities to his imagined characters. In total, Norman Rockwell created more than 4,000 works of art over the course of his life. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Norman Rockwell art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Norman Rockwell was renowned for painting covers for the Saturday Evening Post magazine. He painted 321 covers total in a collaboration spanning almost five decades. Shop an array of authentic Norman Rockwell works from top sellers around the world on 1stiDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Norman Rockwell painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post in 1916. Over the next 46 years, he would go on to paint 300 covers for the magazine. You’ll find a variety of Norman Rockwell art pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.