Christine+Marino




 * NORMAN ROCKWELL**

The American Life As a resident of Massachusetts, and after spending his lifetime in various parts of New England, Norman Rockwell, a famous painter and illustrator, attained a sense of what the true American Family was like. Rockwell found it important to focus on “universal situations and relationships… the aspects of family life that transcend history.” (Rockwell Museum, 1) Norman Rockwell spent 47 years creating illustrations for //The Saturday Evening Post//, which often portrayed social controversy, depicted moral issues, and the latest events in the news. Rockwell’s work is very honest and blunt. He had the ability to send a tremendous message through the illustration by only using facial expressions, and he did not have to incorporate hidden clues or paint cryptic messages to get his point across. Rockwell’s artwork was so lifelike that he was commissioned to paint portraits of all presidential candidates between the years of 1952 and 1972. Rockwell believed that showing America through his work was important. He illustrated work that ranged from “product advertising to sensitive social issues.” (Rockwell Museum, 1) These illustrations included Rosie the Riveter, an icon during wartime, Willie Gillis, and other average Americans. One of the most sensitive and controversial issues Rockwell addressed in his artwork was the desegregation of schools during the civil rights movement. Titled “The Problem We All Live With,” Norman Rockwell painted an extremely lifelike painting of an African American girl being escorted to school in 1964 for //Look// magazine. In the painting it appears that the little girl walked quietly, in between U.S. Marshalls as she dodged the tomatoes that were being thrown at her. Rockwell seemed to be speaking out against the way that Ruby Bridges was treated, as the first African American to go to an all white school. His painting is very similar to the photographs taken of Bridges, as she ventured out to a desegregated school for the first time. Things were thrown at her, and people stood and yelled racial slurs. This situation was extremely inappropriate, especially since Ruby Bridges was only a little girl. The fact that there was such uproar over desegregation and the hatred towards African Americans is embarrassing for our country. These events make up a large part of the country’s history. Another piece of Rockwell’s famous collection of American art is the //Four Freedoms.// This series of paintings became a huge success during Rockwell’s life. These four paintings were inspired by President Roosevelt’s address to congress. Titled the // Freedom of Speech //, //Freedom to Worship//, //Freedom from Want//, and //Freedom from Fear,// // these privileges are extremely important in American society. These paintings were sponsored and raised $130 million dollars that went to the war effort at the time. Rockwell was proud to paint the freedoms of // // America ////, and by doing so he was helping his country as well. The Freedom of Speech //// illustrates a man standing up and speaking out in a congregation of some sort. This is one of the most important rights that Americans have and enjoy even today. The second of the series, the Freedom to Worship, //// shows several people //// praying in silence together. //// The writing at the top of the canvas states “each according to the dictates of his own conscience.” I believe that Rockwell is implying that everyone worships in a different way and that is perfectly acceptable, because every conscience listens to things in a slightly different way. //// America //// is about diversity, and freedom of religion is necessary, especially since that is the major reason why people migrate to this country. Freedom from want ////, the third painting of the series displays a typical American family celebrating over a feast. This family has plenty, and Rockwell shows their prosperity by illustrating happiness on their faces and the amount of food they will share over one meal. It has been speculated that in places other than //// America ////, images such as this prove that //// America //// has an overabundance. Freedom from Fear, //// the final painting of the series, was used for posters promoting the war against //// Britain ////. Rockwell did not like the idea of using the painting for that purpose. Rockwell thought the theme was inappropriate since the painting depicts sleeping children in their beds while parents tuck them in. (NormanRockwellMusem.com) Other than the label the government gave the illustration, the Freedom from Fear //// was probably speaking about the security of family, and simply how children need structure and love to feel safe. All of these paintings touch on sensitive and important issues that are at the heart of //// America ////. Rockwell’s ability to capture truth and reproduce it on a canvas so realistically makes his art so inspiring. The artist once said “I showed the //// America //// I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.” Hopefully his depictions of the important social issues truly spoke to Americans, making them aware of the important issues he has painted. //



"The Problem We All Live With"

"Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear"

Bibliography "Ebony past to present: Ruby Bridges story: First African American Girl in A desegregated school." Web. . "Norman Rockwell: Four Freedoms." //Wikipedia//. Web. . "The Norman Rockwell Museum." Web. . The Norman Rockwell Museum At Stockbridge. Little Compton, R.I.: Fort Church, Inc. Print.