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.
Norman Rockwell, The Artist’s Daughter, Porcelain Sculpture, 1st Edition, 1980
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Norman Rockwell, The Artist’s Daughter, Porcelain Sculpture, 1st Edition, 1980 This finely rendered porcelain figurine, issued in 1980, is based on Norman Rockwell’s celebrated illus...
Porcelain
Monumental Lucite Sculpture by Norman Mercer
By Norman Mercer
Located in Miami, FL
Amazing to say the least. This Lucite sculpture is colorful as well as having a substantial presence and unexpected design. Multiple radial pieces are arranged in a concentric design...
St Denis. by R. Van Ruyckevelt Porcelain Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
R. Van Ruyckevelt, St. Denis gilded and decorated porcelain sculpture of a black raspberry branch. Set on a rectangular marble base. Malvern, England, 20th century.
Marble
Set of Spiral Sculptures in Steel Signed by the Artist, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Very interesting set of sculptures with curved spiral shapes signed by the artist, numbered and dated. Each sculpture was made in a different year fr...
Steel
1980s Life Size Porcelain Sculpture Harlequin Great Dane
By Lladro
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful life-size hand painted Harlequin Great Dane. It is in very good condition with incredible detail.
Ceramic, Porcelain
Norman Rockwell Court Jester Statue by Lladró Porcelain, Ltd 1234/5000
By Salvador Furió, Lladro
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Produced from 1982 through 1984 this detailed Court Jester statue was designed and sculpted by Salvador Furio and adapted from "Court Jester" found on th...
Ceramic
Sergio Bustamante Artist’s Proof Little Bird with Boy Sculpture with COA
By Sergio Bustamante
Located in Bensalem, PA
Bonze artwork by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante, known for his surrealist style. Artists proof, one of a kind with original COA. Please look at pictures for overall condition, whic...
Bronze
"Artist's Model, " Rare and Important WPA Era Sculpture of Male Nude
By Raymond Turner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully sculpted from a ruddy block of mahogany and finished with a patina that gives it a lovely glow, this piece is a superb example of WPA-era sculpture. The artist, Raymond T...
Mahogany
Sicilian Artist Made White Wear Porcelain Medusa Sculpture
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1282 Hand made Medusa sculpture.
Porcelain
$818Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 10.24 in D 5.91 in
1980s Porcelain Sculpture of a Japanese Woman, Manufactured by the Franklin MInt
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Porcelain sculpture of a Japanese woman, manufactured by The Franklin Mint Limited and numbered edition no M 7256, as title Empress of The Snow.
Porcelain
Fully Articulated Wooden Artist's Model Of Horse
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique French hand-carved artist's model of an articulated wooden horse. Horse has articulated head and legs, neck is jointed, but does not move, and has a horsehair tail. Horse is ...
Wood
$1,950
H 4.5 in W 10 in D 13 in
Parker Norman Rockwell Limited Edition Fountain Pen w/ Rare Documents & Prints
By Norman Rockwell, Parker
Located in New York, NY
Purchased directly from the estate of Norman Rockwell's son, this exceptional Parker Duofold Norman Rockwell fountain pen, numbered 1,894 out of a limited edition of 3,500, with an 18k gold nib and a marble style design, presents extraordinary and rare documentation, including letters from Parker regarding the pen, a certificate of authenticity and four original, numbered prints, as well as additional photographs of the pen and other documentation. It is also sold with 4 unused ink refill cartridges, in its original full leather case and with the original dust bag. This is a truly exceptional ensemble in very good condition. Norman P. Rockwell (February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978) was an American painter and illustrator. His works have a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of the country's culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over nearly five decades. He is also noted for his 64-year relationship with the Boy Scouts of America...
Gold
$3,500
H 23.63 in W 9.85 in D 9.06 in
A Bronze Figure of a 1st Century CE Roman ‘Narcissus’ (‘The Bird’ Edition)
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Figure of a 1st Century CE Roman ‘Narcissus’ (‘The Bird’ Edition) Description: The contrapposto male figure modelled from the So-Called Narcissus uncovered in Pompeii in ...
Bronze