accidents of light

Just Married, 1957, Columbus Museum of Art

Last week, at my library branch, Ron Schick's Norman Rockwell Behind the Camera was displayed in one of the featured-book shelves. Rockwell is not one of my favorite artists, but his work is quintessentially American, so iconic, and recognizable. He was a master story-teller.

I picked up Schick's book, gave it a quick flip-through, then immediately added it to my stack. It is full of wonderful photos of the models Rockwell used for his paintings.

It is quite a treat to look into the faces of the real people we have all come to know and love through his legendary works. Rockwell never intended for his photography to be judged on their own, but they are actually works of art in their own right.



"There were details, accidents of light, which I'd missed when I'd been able to make only quick sketches of a setting.  A photograph catches all that."

My Columbus Museum of Art has two of Rockwell's pieces, Just Married, 1957 and Soda Jerk, 1953.  On a recent visit, I snapped a few shots to share with you.  In the reproductions, his work looks so smooth and fine, but when seen in person, it is amazing how thickly he applied the paint.

Soda Jerk, 1953, Columbus Museum of Art

Rockwell's son, Peter, was the model for the counter man in Soda Jerk.

"Before a model even attempts to pose for me, I tell him the story I want my picture to tell because I want him to understand what I am trying to do, what I am trying to convey. Then I get into the pose myself and show him how I think it should be done."  --Norman Rockwell