Product Description

Norman Rockwell once noted that he depicted life "as I would like it to be." This newly revised version of "The Best of Norman Rockwell" features an additional 16 pages showcasing his keen observations and warm artistic vision, with updated images and text personally selected by Rockwell's son, Tom. Organized by decade, it provides a fascinating look at the accomplishments of this extraordinary American illustrator.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2985594 in Books
• Published on: 1989-03-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 136 pages

Amazon.com Review
Norman Rockwell was nearly as prolific an artist as he was gifted. In addition to his many paintings, he created over 500 magazine covers and thousands of commercial illustrations. In this volume, one of Rockwell's sons has carefully reviewed his father's vast collection of work and chosen his favorite representations from each decade. Many of the pieces come from the family's private collection and are published here for the first time; however, some perennial favorites, such as Triple Self Portrait, After the Prom, and Girl at the Mirror, are also included. Many of the images have been reproduced directly from the originals so details such as brushstrokes and the texture of the canvas are visible. The Best of Norman Rockwell will please readers any time of year, but there are quite a few Thanksgiving and Christmas pictures that make this a great book to have around during the holidays.

From Library Journal
Another in a long line of books of Rockwell illustrations, this is distinguished only by the fact that Rockwell's son Thomas chose the illustrations and wrote a brief preface. The result is the usual selection of popular images, plus some rarely seen sketches and paintings. The 32-page section of preliminary drawings adds substance, but the minimal text throughout is disappointing. The preface is all too brief, and each illustration receives only the barest identification. Libraries that have any of several more substantial books, such as Christopher Finch's Norman Rockwell's America (Abrams, 1985), can pass this by.
- Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Inc., Amherst, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Customer Reviews

How Times Have Changed...
For many years the art world shunned the 'illustrations' of artist Norman Rockwell, suggesting that his work was commercial and created for the sole purpose of public consumption. But the tables have turned. Rockwell's prodigious output (primarily for the covers of now defunct Saturday Evening Post Magazine) chronicled a time in America in the pre and post World War II tenor and captured the spirit of the country's citizens in humor, nostalgia, celebration and insight in a manner that in many ways held the country together.

Rockwell's many paintings are generously sampled in Rockwell's son's fine book, sharing over 150 works by one of the finest draughtsman and commentators before the public. Now museums clamor for his works and touring shows reveal that Norman Rockwell was indeed a truly fine craftsman and poet. His paintings show life as we would have our memories believe it could be, was, or remembered. Many of the included works are now American icons, but it is the sharing of the less well-known works that makes this volume special.

This is a fine monograph of an under appreciated artist whose time has come. It is a joy to read and share, and mixed with the nostalgia is the reassuring knowledge that times CAN change - a message we all need at present. Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

The Best of Norman Rockwell. A Celebration of 100 Years
I had hankered after a good book on Norman Rockwell for years. I think out of all the books available on the artist Norman Rockwell this has to be one of the very best. While other books have gone for quantity rather than quality, using plenty of black and white pictures to fill them out, this one has quality and colour with many of MY favourite pictures whilst also showing plenty of black and white preliminary sketches. It is wonderful. And the speedy delivery from Amazon has fulfilled a big gap in my "library".

Excellent prints from breathtaking images.
This is my first Norman Rockwell artbook, and wow... after years of his inspiration I have to say this book gives one of the best Rockwell prints you can get out there.
The pages are printed on excellent glossy photo paper, and the images are all vibrating. Some paintings are revised in photography, so you don't get the same old yellowish rusty image from the 1970s reference.
If you simply is a Norman Rockwell fan or know someone who is a painter... I would say this book is the best there is. it contains a section of sketches - portraits, painting sketch, brainstorm ideas...etc. And the chapters are separated according to his years of career, from the early 1920s to the late 1960s...