.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The present work was painted in 1922 as part of Norman Rockwell's highly successful advertisement campaign with Edison Mazda Lampworks. Between 1920 and 1927, Rockwell completed approximately twenty full-color oils for Edison, making the commission one of the artist's largest during these early years of his career.
American illustration holds a special place within the context of American art. Before television entered the home, newspapers and magazines were the primary news sources for the nation. They were also the barometer of American opinion, and naturally, the artists who illustrated these periodicals had a great deal of influence on the perception of their nation. As the best of these artists, Norman Rockwell did more than fulfill his commissions. He understood his advantageous position, and put his best efforts into his work. He stated himself: "No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all of his talent, all of his feeling into them. If illustration is not considered art, then that is something that we have brought upon ourselves by not considering ourselves artists. I believe that we should say, 'I am not just an illustrator, I am an artist.' Today he is gone, but as they say, he is larger than life. His works are recognized worldwide and his name is used universally to describe a lifestyle and an era considered distinctly American..." (J. Goffman, The Great American Illustrators, New York, 1993, p. 122)
American illustration holds a special place within the context of American art. Before television entered the home, newspapers and magazines were the primary news sources for the nation. They were also the barometer of American opinion, and naturally, the artists who illustrated these periodicals had a great deal of influence on the perception of their nation. As the best of these artists, Norman Rockwell did more than fulfill his commissions. He understood his advantageous position, and put his best efforts into his work. He stated himself: "No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all of his talent, all of his feeling into them. If illustration is not considered art, then that is something that we have brought upon ourselves by not considering ourselves artists. I believe that we should say, 'I am not just an illustrator, I am an artist.' Today he is gone, but as they say, he is larger than life. His works are recognized worldwide and his name is used universally to describe a lifestyle and an era considered distinctly American..." (J. Goffman, The Great American Illustrators, New York, 1993, p. 122)