How to go
What: “Norman Rockwell: The Man Behind the Canvas”
Where: Springfield Museum of Art, 107 Cliff Park Road, Springfield
When: Through Dec. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 12:30-4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Cost: $5 adults; $3 students with valid ID and seniors; free, students ages 17-under and Museum members
More info: 937-325-4673 or www.springfieldart.museum
DID YOU KNOW?
- Norman Rockwell was born in New York City on Feb. 3, 1894. He transferred from high school to the Chase Art School at the age of 14. He then went on to the National Academy of Design and finally to the Art Students League.
- During the First World War, Rockwell tried to enlist into the U.S. Navy but was refused entry, because at 6 feet tall and 140 pounds, he was eight pounds underweight. To compensate, he spent one night gorging himself on bananas, liquids and donuts, and weighed enough to enlist the next day. However, he was given the role of a military artist and did not see any action during his tour of duty.
- He started his career as art editor of "Boy's Life" magazine and three years later earned his first cover on "The Saturday Evening Post."
Rockwell sought something of the idealized world he imagined when he moved out of the city — first to New Rochelle, N.Y., then later settling in Vermont with his family. Rockwell found new models in the form of neighbors, as well as his children. He spent the last 25 years of his life in Stockbridge, Mass., the home of hte Rockwell Museum.
During his long career, he was commissioned to paint the portraits for presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, as well as those of foreign figures, including Gamal Abdel Nasser and Jawaharlal Nehru. One of his last works was a portrait of legendary singer Judy Garland in 1969.
SOURCE: Karen Anne Briggs, curator
Norman Rockwell’s art reflected an ideal America in the 20th century. But what happens when the artist becomes the subject in a different art form?
“Norman Rockwell: The Man Behind the Canvas” is a collection of photographs of the beloved painter over the years as well as of some of his greatest paintings taken by his close friend and assistant, Louis Lamone.
The photos tell as much of a story about Rockwell as his art did about American life.
The exhibit is on display at the Springfield Museum of Art through Dec. 31.
“This exhibition is not about his work, they are photos that show us the man behind the canvas and gives us a glimpse into his personality,” said Ann Fortescue, executive director of the museum.
Although most viewed him as an intensely private man and something of a curmudgeon, the photos show Rockwell, often with his signature pipe, with kids or grandkids, at work and even poking fun at himself making faces and being drenched by a sprinkler.
“He has a great theatrical bent to his body, you get that sense of his approach,” Fortescue said.
Two walls of the gallery are devoted to some of Rockwell’s famous Saturday Evening Post covers, depicting everything from kids to occupations and scenes from small-town American life.
They also include descriptions of the ideas behind the covers.
Another wall has photos of Rockwell and numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra and John Wayne. Still another shows his accomplishments and correspondences.
It wasn’t just Rockwell’s scenes of Americana that were popular. He was also talented at portraits. Several graced Post covers, including one of John F. Kennedy following his assassination, that was also Rockwell’s last ever Post cover.
The Museum will present three public programs relating to the exhibit, Understanding Norman Rockwell, over the next three months.
On Oct. 25 Smithsonian American Art Museum Chief Curator Virginia Mecklenburg will share her research on Rockwell and popular culture. A PechaKucha Night will be presented by the Westcott House on Nov. 3.
Local photographers and preservationists Vicki Rulli and Tom Heaphy will offer their work rediscovering Springfield on Dec. 6. All programs are at 6:30 p.m.
The exhibit will be open museum hours.
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