Norman Rockwell was February 3, 1894 in NYC.
At age 14 left high school to study art at the National Academy of Art.
At 16 Rockwell was commissioned to paint 4 Christmas cards.
1911 Rockwell got his first gig illustrating children's books.
The job led him to other assignments including art editor for Boys Life Magazine.
Rockwell studied with Thomas Fogarty this is where Rockwell learned the technical skills he relied on through out his career.
1916 at 22 Rockwell painted his 1st cover for the Saturday Evening Post.
Over the next 47 yrs 321 Rockwell covers would appear on the Post.
Rock well was married a total of 3 times and had 3 sons.
Rockwell moved to Vermont in 1939 this is where Rockwell's work began, more consistent, to reflect small-town America.
In 1943 inspired by FDR's address to Congress, Rockwell painted 4 Freedom paintings. Contemporary writers reproduced them in 4 consecutive issues of the post with essays.
Rockwell's Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom to want and Freedom of Fear proved to be enormously popular.
The paintings toured the US and through sales of war bonds raised $130 million for war efforts.
1953 Rockwell established a trust to preserve his artistic legacy by placing his works in the custodianship of the "Old Corner House Stockbridge Historical Society."" Later to become Norman Rockwell museum of Stockbridge.
In 1977 Rockwell received the nations highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, for his vivid affectionate portraits of our country.
Rockwell died November 8, 1978 at age 84.
.
.
.
Norman Rockwell prints have been reproduced more often than, Michael Angelo, Picasso and Rembrandt combined.
