An exhibition of work by Norman Rockwell is on view at The Park Avenue Bank here through June 27. “Norman Rockwell in Black & White: Drawings for Classic Saturday Evening Post Covers” features rarely seen preparatory drawings created by Rockwell.
The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., curated the exhibition. Artwork is from the museum’s permanent collection, which includes the artist’s Stockbridge studio, its contents and an extensive archive relating to Norman Rockwell’s life and career.
The exhibition is presented by the Meet A Museum exhibition program hosted by The Park Avenue Bank.
“This intimate exhibition of richly articulated drawings offers a rare glimpse into Norman Rockwell’s narrative and artistic process,” says Stephanie Plunkett, chief curator at Norman Rockwell Museum. “As complete as his final paintings for classic Saturday Evening Post covers and advertisements, they transcend their status as preparatory works for their exquisite draftsmanship and beauty.”
Before Rockwell began an oil on canvas painting, he carefully prepared a full-scale charcoal drawing. To Rockwell, the final drawing was the real foundation of a picture. All issues of composition, tone and detail were resolved at this stage, with revisions being made until the drawing expressed the story exactly as Rockwell intended.
The exhibition highlights the artist’s process through eight lively illustrations, including such classics as “Yankee Doodle,” 1937, “The Boy Who Put the World on Wheels,” 1952; “The Art Critic,” 1955; “Just Married,” 1957′ “Before the Shot,” 1958; and “Family Tree,” 1959.
“I take the making of the charcoal layouts very seriously,” Rockwell once said. “Too many novices, I believe, wait until they are on the canvas before trying to solve many of their problems. It is much better to wrestle with them ahead through studies.”
For information, 413-298-4100, extension 220, or www.nrm.org.
