We've all seen the iconic paintings done by Norman Rockwell, which provide us with endless nostalgia for an America most of us never even knew. What we haven't seen, however, are the staged photographs Rockwell used as studies before he started on each canvas.
These images are strikingly similar to his final works, except in the details he purposely changed. They show genuine mid-century interior settings, which are fascinating to see in real states of disarray, as they were not the main focus of each composition.
But feel free to focus on them all you'd like.
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These are fantastic! Unbelievable detail in his illustrations. I love the tattoo parlor. Thanks for sharing these!
I think the little girl in the last photo is getting a "pixie"
I got one in 1962, it was the latest style for young girls!
cool!!!!
I looked through this book and was shocked to find out he also used a projector and traced some of these photos. Not to diminish the final result (I'm a fan) but tracing?
Really amazing... the quality of the pics themselves is awesome....
@firstfriday: The practice is more common among artists and illustrators than you'd think and goes back further than Rockwell. At least Rockwell wasn't ripping off other people. There is a ridiculously blatant contemporary comic strip 'artist' who actually traces other people's work (photographs and other comics). I have no idea how he still gets work.
For those who haven't been, I recommend the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.
I went to the museum with my Grandma and one of the boys in one of the paintings was speaking, it was really cool. His studio is on the premesis as are his sons sculptures, must go. Detroit got lucky and had a huge exhibit of his as well and I got to share that with my hubby. We have the wedding license hanging in our hallway. adore him !!!
These are so amazing! The photos themselves are worthy enough, but it's the details he changes and adds that make it, charming.
Last month's Smithsonian magazine had an article on this exact topic- with interviews of Rockwell's models reminiscing on the artist's process, including the specific changes he made between photo and painting and why he made them.
I've often heard the rumor that the police officer in that painting is Officer Obie of Alice's Restaurant fame. But wikipedia tells me that it's a different, less famous Rockwell painting.
Rockwell was great, but he was only following in the footsteps of his mentor, J. C. Leyendecker:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._C._Leyendecker
Along with Warhol, I'd say Leyendecker is probably the most influential illustrator of the 20th century. His "Arrow Collar Man" campaign helped to define modern advertising and the concept of branding. Examples of his work - much of it featuring his partner of 50 years Charles Beach - can be found on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamluke/sets/72057594057478404/
Evidently, NR was better at studio photography than he was at painting.
I saw him once on live TV; he had a wonderful gift of relating to the audience; he was a people-person. That gift allowed him to get good poses in the studio with real people.
Without the benefit of the camera (as in his early work), he was very skillful; but so were many others.
Rockwell's illustrations always make me very happy. Thanks for posting this.
You know, I've never like Norman Rockwell's paintings very much, but I actually really enjoyed the photographs. I'd be happier seeing those than the, to me, tired old paintings!
If you are ever in Lee, Mass, near the museum in Stockbridge, stop in for a meal at Joe's Diner. Though not necessarily the inspiration for "The Runway" -- people tend to believe it is, and it is a frequent site for re-enacting the photo. A state police barracks is nearby, so lots of uniformed men available for photo-ops!
On another note, Rockwell's art is quite powerful and much more impressive in person -- the museum is worth a visit.
Ah, Rockwell... one of the best illustrators of the 20th century, maybe not so much one of the best "artists". It all depends on how you define your terms. Graphic arts are usually not considered "fine arts" and the techniques of one are often scorned by the other...
That said, using projections to get the basics of a composition onto a canvas goes back as far as lenses and lighting made it possible, and after all, the skill at applying paint is a different thing than drawing the shapes. Consider the end result, not the process...
YES the museum in Stockbridge is a must, the collection is huge and rotates every couple of months. Most of the docents are former "models" for Rockwell.
sunspot24--
You consider Warhol an illustrator??
um, this post was lifted from the New Yorker. they did a story on Rockwell recently.
AT where has your originality gone?
re: "lots of uniformed men available for photo-ops!"
I'm driving there as we speak!
And original or not, I love Mr. Rockwell getting any press he can.
I think his genius has been diluted through bad-Nostalgia waves over the years.
He was an amazing draftsman, his eye for composition was impeccable, his technique at times was quite modern (i.e. the tattoo background) and he was a master visual storyteller.
Add to that his flawless photorealism technique...
"I still find the policeman scary."
I think he's cute.
You consider Warhol an illustrator??
That's what Warhol got his start as. He was hired early on by RCA to do album covers and promotional materials. He transitioned to fine art later, a transition Leyendecker never managed. The two of them are I think pretty clearly the most influential American illustrators of the 20th century, with their work influencing both other illustrators as well as the broader art world and indeed society in general. Leyendecker's lover Charles Beach became the "Arrow Collar Man" and the iconic image of the American male during the first three decades of the century.
Which is, you know, kind of ironic.
Someday, someone's gonna make a hell of a movie about Leyendecker's life.