Illustrator Research - Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was an American painter and illustrator. Rockwell always wanted to be an artist. At 14, he enrolled in art classes at what is now the New York School of Art. In 1910, he left high school for the National Academy of Design, and shortly after transferred to the Art Students League. He became successful very early in his life. Before the age of 16, Rockwell got his first commission for four Christmas cards. Then, while still in his teens, he was hired as art director of Boys' Life, the official publication of the Boy Scouts of America. From there he began a freelance career doing work for other publications geared towards young people.

The 30s and 40s, however, were considered to be Rockwell's most fruitful years. In 1939, his work became recognized as being representative of a small-town America. In 1943, he was inspired by FDR's address to Congress and painted his Four Freedoms paintings, and these were all reproduced in four consecutive issues of The Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell is known also for his other illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post.