“Triple Self-Portrait” by Norman Rockwell on the cover of “The Saturday Evening Post,” February 13, 1960.
Humor and humility were essential aspects of Norman Rockwell’s character, so when asked to do a self-portrait, the results were lighthearted and somewhat self-deprecating. Rockwell was a stickler for neatness, but here he has scattered matchsticks, paint tubes, and brushes over the studio floor. The glass of Coca-Cola, his usual afternoon pick-me-up, looks as if it will tip over at any moment.
A little older artist is gazing at himself in the mirror and he looks very different on canvas. He’s got a little more hair, his pipe is a little perkier and he’s looking out directly at you, without glasses.
Paint rags and pipe ashes sometimes conspired to ignite small fires in Rockwell’s brass bucket, so the wisp of smoke in the painting rings true. It is a reminder that once Rockwell’s studio caught fire as a result of his carelessness with pipe ashes. His brass helmet, a French fireman’s helmet he acquired in Paris in 1923, usually placed on an unused easel, crowns this one.
The four self-portraits on his canvas – Albrecht Durer, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent Van Gogh – are his references. He did tack or tape studies to his drawings or canvases and he did immerse himself in favorite artwork before beginning a project.
[Source: Norman Rockwell Museum]
“Triple Self-Portrait” by Norman Rockwell on the cover of “The Saturday Evening Post,” February 13, 1960.
Humor and humility were essential aspects of Norman Rockwell’s character, so when asked to do a self-portrait, the results were lighthearted and somewhat self-deprecating. Rockwell was a stickler for neatness, but here he has scattered matchsticks, paint tubes, and brushes over the studio floor. The glass of Coca-Cola, his usual afternoon pick-me-up, looks as if it will tip over at any moment.
A little older artist is gazing at himself in the mirror and he looks very different on canvas. He’s got a little more hair, his pipe is a little perkier and he’s looking out directly at you, without glasses.
Paint rags and pipe ashes sometimes conspired to ignite small fires in Rockwell’s brass bucket, so the wisp of smoke in the painting rings true. It is a reminder that once Rockwell’s studio caught fire as a result of his carelessness with pipe ashes. His brass helmet, a French fireman’s helmet he acquired in Paris in 1923, usually placed on an unused easel, crowns this one.
The four self-portraits on his canvas – Albrecht Durer, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent Van Gogh – are his references. He did tack or tape studies to his drawings or canvases and he did immerse himself in favorite artwork before beginning a project.
[Source: Norman Rockwell Museum]