logo for best-norman-rockwell-art.com

Jester by Norman Rockwell

Jester by Norman Rockwell
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
   

Norman Rockwell Signature


February 11, 1939 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post


Jester, a Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published February 11, 1939. This is another favorite of Rockwell collectors, a classic enduring image of the world Rockwell painted.

Am alternate title for this painting is The Court Jester.

This painting was Rockwell's 184th overall out of 322 total paintings that were published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

This was also the first cover for The Post in 1939. In 1939, there were eight Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers published.

The original oil on canvas painting, 31 x 25 inches or 78.5 x 63.5 cm, is part of a private collection.

This painting also appears in four Rockwell commentary books. It appears:

  • on page 75 of Norman Rockwell: A Sixty Year Retrospective by Thomas Buechner,
  • on pages 283 and 294 of Norman Rockwell 332 Magazine Covers by Christopher Finch,
  • as illustration 336 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and
  • on page 140 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Pristine original copies of this magazine cover routinely sell for big bucks on eBay, when it is offered. And to think it only cost ten cents originally! And it was mint condition then, too.




Jester

Giclee Prints on Archival Paper:
From Art.com


Available as Oil on Canvas:
Oil on Canvas Reproduction

In this painting, Norman Rockwell shows us a split personality.

We can see two different emotions at play here.

The jester seems very sad. Yet he is looking at his wand. The wand bears his likeness. Yet the miniature head mounted there is laughing.

It could even be said that the miniature is laughing at the life size.

His clown costume is also interesting. Just look at all the bells. There is even a bell hanging out the back of his trousers. And the bells on the tips of his shoes almost certainly make him feel funny.

The red, white and green certainly conveys mirth and frivolity and the black and white checks of his shirt also add to that idea.

The printers and engravers hd a hard time with all the gold paint that Rockwell used in this painting. At that time, The Post did not have the capability to print gold under or over other colors.

The editor sent the painting back to Rockwell to have him change all the gold paint, probabgly to yellow.

After all all those bells printed on millions of copies would have added up to a lot of gold ink..


The February 11, 1939 Saturday Evening Post cover by Norman Rockwell entitled Jester

Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy

Norman Rockwell's Jester (1939)
(Image Only) Copyright © 1939 Saturday Evening Post & Curtis Publishing Company



Remember to check back often.

Do You Have A Great Story, Opinion Or Contribution About Jester?

Do you have a personal story about this painting? Do you know the model personally? Do you have a different take on the commentary?

Please share!


Norman Rockwell Quotes:


I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to.

No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them!

Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.

Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible.

The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.

I can take a lot of pats on the back. I love it when I get admiring letters from people. And, of course, I'd love it if the critics would notice me, too.

You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression.

More at BrainyQuote.

Rockwell Favorites

Doctor and the Doll
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Doctor and the Doll
Santa at His Desk
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Santa at His Desk
Before the Shot
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Before the Shot
Game Called Because of Rain
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Game Called Because of Rain (Three Umpires)
Freedom of Speech
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Freedom of Speech
Freedom from Want
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Freedom from Want
No Swimming
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
No Swimming
The Runaway
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
The Runaway
Girl at the Mirror
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Girl at the Mirror
Tattoo Artist
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Tattoo Artist
Puppy Love
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
Puppy Love
(Little Spooners)

Norman Rockwell Christmas and Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Galleries are open.

Norman Rockwell's painting, A Drum for Tommy or Santa with Drum, appeared on the cover of The Country Gentleman on 12/17/1921
Norman Rockwell Santa Claus
Gallery is open!







Copyright © Best Norman Rockwell Art.com.
Images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders.
Graphic Files Protected by Digimarc.
Contact us for details about using our articles on your website.
The only requirements are an acknowledgement and a link.
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape
AddThis Social Bookmark Button
Home | Donate | About | Contact | FAQ | Share | Search | Survey | Wanted
Sitemap | Sitemap, 2 | Sitemap, 3 | Sitemap, 4 | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
My Business "Secret Weapon"