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January 13, 2012

Delighting in Rockwell

aarockwelltobeach.jpg

I must confess to an intellectual sin. I delight in the paintings of Norman Rockwell. ....

What do I find here, that is so lacking in the pagan world, whether old or new? The delight in being, first of all. It’s as if the boy and the old man could cry out to the ordinary natural world of ponds and fields and leaves, “How good it is that you exist!” They would therefore agree with the philosopher Joseph Pieper, except that no doubt they don’t read philosophy, having better things to do on a hot summer afternoon. -- What Makes Norman Rockwell Possible? | Crisis Magazine

Posted by gerardvanderleun at January 13, 2012 10:44 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

Supposedly in person his paintings are even more impressive and pull you in. The man was a master artist, he just picked homely, humble subjects with a great deal of nostalgic pull.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at January 13, 2012 12:54 PM

He saw the beauty in the homely but lovable American race.

Posted by: Jewel at January 13, 2012 1:45 PM

It's no intellectual sin to love the art of Norman Rockwell.

Posted by: gedaliya at January 13, 2012 6:39 PM

Having just gone to see the traveling exhibit, I can tell you that his paintings are indeed more impressive, when you see them in person. For once I could really appreciate the brushwork.

He often used his neighbors and relations as models, which is why the people in the pictures look so normal. They are.

Posted by: Maureen at January 13, 2012 8:59 PM

I've said it before: I think he was the greatest 20th Century American artist, hands down.

Posted by: rickl at January 13, 2012 9:36 PM

Rockwell's Boy Scout paintings are American masterpieces, but of course the PC crowd can't stand them.

Posted by: Deborah at January 14, 2012 8:29 AM

Good thing the Nat Endowment of the Arts was established, or we'd never have great art and great artists like Rockwell. Yessiree, the NEA surely is a good use of our tax dollars.

(sarcasm off)

Posted by: southernjames at January 14, 2012 2:29 PM

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