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Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera

From "Girl at Mirror" to "The Problem We All Live With" to "New Kids in the Neighborhood" painting to "The Dugout," artist Norman Rockwell's enduring depictions of the sometimes quaint, sometimes profound moments of everyday life have forever taken a hold in our collective memory. But what is relatively unknown is the fact that beginning in the late 1930s, to achieve these realistic paintings, including many for his four decades worth Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations, Rockwell often staged very elaborate photographs. As the artistic director of sittings involving styling, models, sets, and props, Norman Rockwell created detailed references to use for his works. Indeed, no element was left to the imagination. From the New England townspeople who served as models to the choice of clothing and backdrop—these rare Norman Rockwell photographs exhibit all the wit and humor of his memorable paintings and illustrations.

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    Girl at Mirror, 1954
    Tear sheet, The Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1954

    Photo Credit: images courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    The Dugout, 1948
    Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, September 4, 1948

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    The Tattoo Artist, 1944
    Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, March 4, 1944

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    The Problem We All Live With, 1964
    Tear sheet, Look, January 14, 1964

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    The Gossips, 1948
    Tear sheet, The Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1948

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    New Kids in the Neighborhood, 1967
    Tear sheet, Look, May 16, 1967

  • Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
    Shuffleton's Barbershop, 1950
    Cover Illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, April 29, 1950

Currently on view at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera offers a rare, fascinating "behind the scenes" look at Rockwell’s working process by placing Norman Rockwell's photographs alongside the famous paintings and illustrations they spawned. 

We spoke with the Brooklyn Museum's Managing Curator of Exhibitions, Sharon Matt Atkins, about the Norman Rockwell exhibition.


The Inside Source: Some of Hollywood's most elite movie directors (George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, etc.) are avid collectors of Norman Rockwell's artwork. Why do you think they find it so appealing? 

Sharon Matt Atkins: As this [Norman Rockwell] exhibition demonstrates, Rockwell acted almost like a movie director, selecting his cast of characters, locations, props, etc. and then working with his photographers to set the scene, much like a director works with a cinematographer. Lucas and Spielberg are particularly interested in stories that capture the emotions, much like Rockwell did with his work. 

 

The Inside Source: The "behind the scenes" images in the Norman Rockwell Exhibit feel similar to current fashion shoots, complete with photographers, clothing stylists, prop stylists, hair and makeup. Are there any contemporary artists working today that use a similar technique?

Sharon Matt Atkins: Many contemporary artists have acknowledged Rockwell as an influence, particularly in terms of narrative subjects. This, combined with the staged photographs, calls to mind artists such as Cindy Sherman, Gregory Crewdson, and Laurie Simmons, just to name a few. 

 

The Inside Source: Some people categorize Norman Rockwell's artwork as classical realism; given its commercial aspects, others call it pop. Where do you think Norman Rockwell paintings and photographs fit in within the history of art? 

Sharon Matt Atkins: In the past ten to twenty years, art historians have been reevaluating Rockwell's position within the history of art. He's now recognized as a highly influential artist of the twentieth century, and his work continues to influence artists today.

 

The Inside Source: Do you have a favorite piece by Norman Rockwell? 

Sharon Matt Atkins: Rockwell's painting, "The Tattoo Artist," in the Brooklyn Museum's collection is a wonderful example of Rockwell approaching humorous subjects at a serious time. This is one of the works he did for The Saturday Evening Post during World War II. It's also quite unique in that he used the flash to create a two-dimensional background for the subject. 

 

The Inside Source: Does the Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera exhibit travel on after this Brooklyn stop? 

Sharon Matt Atkins: The exhibitions will travel to the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York; the El Paso Museum of Art in Texas; and the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida.

The Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera exhibit remains on view at the Brooklyn Museum of Art now through April 10th. 

 

On eBay, listings for Norman Rockwell are up 11 percent in the past 30 days compared to a 30 day period approximately one year prior. Here, our favorites for the almost-16,000 online auction listings available now.

 


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