The genius of Norman Rockwell

The irony is that Rockwell's work was dismissed by serious art critics in his lifetime.

Many of his works appear overly sweet in the opinion of modern critics, especially the Saturday Evening Post covers, which tend toward idealistic or sentimentalized portrayals of American life.

This has led to the often-deprecatory adjective, "Rockwellesque". I disagree. 

So, what's Rockwell's importance? 

1. His illustrations, especially those for The Saturday Evening Post, depicted scenes of everyday American life, from family gatherings to local events, creating a strong sense of familiarity and nostalgia. 

2. A close-knit community, strong families, and a positive view of American values. 

3. Rockwell's paintings evoked a strong emotional response in viewers, making them relatable and memorable. 

4. His style and storytelling techniques influenced generations of illustrators, filmmakers, and artists, shaping the way visual media portray American life. 

5. His paintings of the Four Freedoms during World War II were incredibly influential, inspiring a generation and visualizing American ideals. While initially known for his commercial success, 

6. Rockwell is now recognized as a significant contributor to American visual culture, with art historians acknowledging his impact.

7. He was the designer anthropologist of his time.