Friday, November 6, 2009

Norman Rockwell Behind the Camera by Ron Schick

This is the first book to explore the meticulously composed and richly detailed photographs that Norman Rockwell used to create his famous artworks. Working alongside skilled photographers, Rockwell acted as director, carefully orchestrating models, selecting props, and choosing locations for the photographs--works of art in their own right--that served as the basis of his iconic images.

Readers will be surprised to find that many of his most memorable characters-the girl at the mirror, the young couple on prom night, the family on vacation-were friends and neighbors who served as his amateur models. In this groundbreaking book, author and historian Ron Schick delves into the archive of nearly 20,000 photographs housed at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Featuring reproductions of Rockwell's black-and-white photographs and related full-color artworks, along with an incisive narrative and quotes from Rockwell models and family members, this book will intrigue anyone interested in photography, art, and Americana.


My Review:
Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my copy of this most impressive book. I've always loved Norman Rockwell; I own some of his prints, and I have even visited his museum in Vermont. (He has another museum in Connecticut.)

This heavy volume satisfies my curiosity to find out the background of many of Rockwell's paintings. Any lover of art, Americana, or history would be pleased to own a copy. What a terrific gift idea! My copy is going on top of my living room coffee table for easy access.

3 comments:

BurtonReview said...

I have always LOVED Norman Rockwell. As a kid, I would leaf through the Rockwell Book that my parents had in their library. My mom collected his plates as well. But I was always enthralled with the characters he portrayed and their funny faces at times.
Lucky you to have your very own copy of this book!

♥Frann♥ said...

Awwww... 1 kú :-)

hapzydeco said...

Check out photojournalist Kevin Rivoli’s In Search of Norman Rockwell's America. Kevin photographed the life that Rockwell depicted.