"Mother and Son Peeling Potatoes"
"Freedom from Want"
These are some of the quintessential Thanksgiving images painted by the illustrator, Norman Rockwell.
Did you know Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) entered the National Academy of Design in New York City at the young age of 15? At age 19 he was the art editor of Boy's Life magazine, scoring his first cover in 1913. His first Saturday Evening Post cover was published in 1916 and was the first of 321 covers he would create over a forty seven year span. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 by President Gerald R. Ford his "vivid and affectionate portraits of our country" touched the hearts of all Americans. (1)
I remember his work and the magazine covers as a young girl. As an art student (James Madison University, 1975) the debate was if Rockwell was considered an artist or an illustrator; one having more artistic license and one being more photo-realistic. My camp back then was that he was an illustrator, but you can't discount the productivity, how he became a household name, and the message in his work, a coveted spot of artists and illustrators alike.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Have a warm and loving holiday.
