Beyond the legendary status that he had already achieved nearly four decades before his death in 1978, Norman Rockwell was a remarkable painter, a gifted storyteller, and a masterful technician who conveyed a distinct, personal message. Rockwell created images that described universal human experiences within a particularly American context. His ability to reveal the deeper meaning in commonplace situations captivates audiences to this day.

Rockwell’s impact on popular culture and his influence on generations of American illustrators was enormous. Working in the tradition of such great illustrator storytellers as Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth, Rockwell set the standard for commercial artists who used narrative realism to illustrate books, magazines, and advertisements from the 1920s to the 1950s. A seminal figure in the evolution of American illustration, his work spawned a shift by the next generation of illustrators and designers, who embraced a modernist aesthetic.

The illustration marketplace has undergone a major change since Rockwell’s time. While no longer the primary visual mechanism of mass media, illustration still serves to stimulate the intellect and emotions and speak to the joys and challenges of our world. Credit this to the inspirational work of illustrators following in Rockwell’s footsteps and those taking the art form in bold new directions. At this unique turning point in the continuum of illustration, Rockwell’s artistic accomplishments stand out as an important link from the outstanding visual communicators of the past to those of today.