Norman Rockwell: Pictures for the American People

by Norman Rockwell, Maureen Hart Hennessey, Judy L. Larson

Accompanying the first major traveling exhibition of works by Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), this volume presents a complete reappraisal of one of America's most beloved artists. Contributors from a wide range of fields -- including leading art historians, cultural critics, a renowned child psychiatrist, and a leading graphic designer -- shed new light on the complexity of Rockwell's art and his place as a shaper of mass-media imagery.Stunning colorplates reproduce Rockwell's paintings in crisp detail, and the essays set them in fresh contexts, discussing such themes as Rockwell's urban scenes; the reaction by both black and white Southerners to Rockwell's historic civil rights painting The Problem We All Live With; and Rockwell's role ill the development of American illustration. Above all, this important volume examines Norman Rockwell's critical place in 20th-century American culture.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History, Art and Photography

200 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1999

About the author

Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States, where Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over more than four decades. Among the best-known of Rockwell's works are the Willie Gillis series, Rosie the Riveter (although his Rosie was reproduced less than others of the day), Saying Grace (1951), and the Four Freedoms series.

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some might write Rockwell off for his sentimentality and earnestness but i believe these are attributes sorely needed in fine art. Rockwell depicted the mundane, eschewing milestones, he “avoided the wedding ceremony in favor of the couple applying for a marriage license.” (This is a darling illustration from 1955 and it shows you all the detail of daily life which is quite charming, especially for those of us who love all things retro.) Those unfamiliar with the artist beyond his Saturday Evening Post fame should know that while he depicted the quintessential white America he was also a strong advocate for civil rights and supported integration efforts. This exhibition catalog includes excellent essays by my all-time fave Dave Hickey (The Kids Are All Right: After the Prom) and the inimitable Thomas Hoving (The Great Art Communicator).

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love using Norman Rockwell's paintings for picture study. I would have liked this book better if it had only been a book of pictures rather than including a lot of text and comparisons with other works of art (some of which were inappropriate, in my opinion). This was the only one my library had; I may need to seek out a different book for Rockwell picture study in the future.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Commonplaces never become tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative.” — Norman Rockwell

I’m glad I got the opportunity this summer to learn more about Rockwell’s work. His art had always intrigued me, being both widely cherished and scorned by art-appreciators/regular Americans. This book is a wonderful exploration of his style (attention to detail, putting American ideologies in practice, capturing the human, American experience, etc.), methods, and the reception he received from audiences critical and accepting alike.

It’s fascinating the impact he had on all kinds of people (not just museum-goers, academics, and art connoisseurs), very much contributing to the ‘democratization’ of art as a thing anyone can appreciate without intermediaries required to fully understand and interpret a piece (as with forms of abstract art).

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been slowly collecting art books over the last year after reading the Rockwell focused Telling Stories last year and visiting half a dozen art museums throughout 2025. But after looking at a Rockwell Christmas book on Christmas Eve, I decided to use my week off to move through this one, and wasn’t disappointed. This seems to have been a chronicle of the Rockwell reappraisal. My only complaint with it is the lack of perspective of how Rockwell’s “America” on his Post covers was predominantly white. It was certainly mentioned in passing, but that certainly speaks to the way Rockwell’s work is coded, by supporters and critics alike.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely coffee table book is filled with gorgeous paintings, preserving a great painter's legacy. Ode to humour!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are instant classics, but the publisher assumes that I'm far more interested in their text than I actually am

[Katelyn Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite artists. You'd do yourself wonders view his works, especially in this publication, and you'd also be surprised to learn that many art books you will find are completely black and white or picture-less all together - this one isn't one of those!!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting compilation and one I rather enjoyed

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Commonplaces never become tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative."

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed through this one.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all of Rockwell's paintings, so easy to like this book.