1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Art History
Shelley Esaak

Shelley's Art History Blog

By Shelley Esaak, About.com Guide to Art History

Artists You Should Know: Norman Rockwell

Sunday November 21, 2004
He's a beloved figure in American art, and because of the very thing that made him a bit insecure. Rockwell called himself an illustrator as if it was a somewhat lesser classification than painter, which brings up a pet peeve of mine. He was a fabulous painter, and a staggering genius at portraying human emotion. Who gives a rip if his paintings were on magazine covers? In what parallel universe does this detract from their initial execution as paintings?! Geez. I was so sorry to learn that this bothered him, and wish I could've told him how much his work means to me - as an American, as an artist and as a human being.

Thanks, I think, to Stan, who wrote, "Hey Shelley - where the (blank) is Norman Rockwell?" Well, hey Stan - he's here now, and just in time for the holidays. You'll just have to try to excuse me for not writing any (insert your favorite expletive here, Stan)-ing faster, 'K Bud?

Comments

No comments yet. Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike>

Explore Art History

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Art History

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.