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Norman Rockwell Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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
"This should help you with the difficult Mr. Buckley" handwritten, signed letter
By Norman Rockwell
Located in New York, NY
Norman Rockwell "This should help you with the difficult Mr. Buckley", ca 1965 Hand written and hand signed letter on artist's personalized stationery with the accompanying stamped and postmarked envelope. Frame Included Unique. Vintage handwritten...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist Norman Rockwell Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Newsprint, Lithograph, Offset, Mixed Media

"Plumbers" Post Cover, Pencil Study
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Pencil Drawing Signature: Signed & Inscribed Lower Right Study for Saturday Evening Post Cover, June 2, 1951
Category

1950s Norman Rockwell Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil

Gentlemen and Scottie dog at Chess Board
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Signature: Signed Lower Right Medium: Charcoal on Paper Sight Size 18.00" x 34.50", Framed 24.00" x 41.00" This is a preliminary drawing. It’s a masterful drawing that was mounted long long ago and so you’ll see a fold down the center. This was a proposal for a Maxwell House...
Category

20th Century Norman Rockwell Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

Two Old Men and Dog: Checkers
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Date: 1950 Medium: Pencil on Paper Sight Size 18.25" x 19.00", Framed 30.25" x 31.00" Signature: Signed with initials 'N R' lower right; also inscribed 'WINTER' upper center Laurie Norton Moffatt, Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, Stockbridge, Massachusetts: Norman Rockwell Museum...
Category

1950s Norman Rockwell Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pencil

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Norman Rockwell figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Norman Rockwell figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Norman Rockwell in paper, pencil, charcoal and more. Not every interior allows for large Norman Rockwell figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 13 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Raphael Soyer, Patricia A Pearce, and Anne Muntges. Norman Rockwell figurative drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,000 and tops out at $825,000, while the average work can sell for $95,000.
Questions About Norman Rockwell Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Norman 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, 2022
    Norman 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.

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