"An Audience of One- Santa"   Lot no. 4294

Add to Want List


By Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)

1938
15.875" x 18.375"
Oil on Canvas
Signed Lower Right

REQUEST PRICE


PURCHASE REQUEST

Click any of the images above for additional views.



Literature:
Laurie Norton Moffatt, Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge, Stockbridge, MA, c. 1986, no. 5389
Correspondence between the original owner and Norman Rockwell dated October 27, 1973 accompanies this piece


Note on Rockwell's tecnique from The Norman Rockwell Museum:

With regard to the technique of glazing the painted area, Rockwell would spot glaze to make certain areas of a painting pop – we have seen that throughout his career. The white paint is likely oil over a loosely painted gesso ground that covers the entire surface. He sometimes used this technique when working quickly on ads or story illustrations such as this one, where drawn elements sufficed in certain areas and where the backgrounds were not detailed.



Explore related art collections: $100,000 & Above / Humor / Christmas/ Holiday

See all original artwork by Norman Rockwell

ABOUT THE ARTIST

 

The pictures of Norman Perceval Rockwell (1894-1978) were recognized and enjoyed by almost everybody in America. The cover of The Saturday Evening Post was his showcase for over forty years, giving him an audience larger than that of any other artist in history. Over the years, he depicted there a unique collection of Americana, a series of vignettes of remarkable warmth and humor. In addition, he painted a great number of pictures for story illustrations, advertising campaigns, posters, calendars and books.

            As his personal contribution during World War II, Rockwell painted the famous “Four Freedoms” posters, symbolizing for millions the war aims as described by President Franklin Roosevelt. One version of his “Freedom of Speech” painting is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

            Rockwell left high school to attend classes at the National Academy of Design, and later studied under Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgeman at the Art Students League in New York. His two greatest influences were the completely opposite titans Howard Pyle and J.C Leyendecker.

            His early illustrations were done for St. Nicholas magazine and other juvenile publications. He sold his first cover painting to the Post in 1916, and ended up doing over 300 more. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson sat for him for portraits, and he painted other world figures, including Nassar of Egypt and Nehru of India.

            An important museum has been established in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where he maintained his studio. Each year, tens of thousands visit the largest collection of his original paintings extant.