logo for best-norman-rockwell-art.com

April Fool: Fishing by Norman Rockwell

April Fool: Fishing by Norman Rockwell
Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy
   

Norman Rockwell Signature


March 31, 1945 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post


April Fool: Fishing, a Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published March 31, 1945. This is another favorite of Rockwell collectors, a classic enduring image of the world Rockwell painted.

This painting was Rockwell's 228th 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 second cover for The Post in 1945. In 1945, there were ten Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers published.

The location of the original oil on canvas painting is not known.

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

  • on pages 325 and 346 of Norman Rockwell 332 Magazine Covers by Christopher Finch
  • on page 43 of The Norman Rockwell Album
  • as illustration 409 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and
  • on page 160 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.




April Fool: Fishing

Giclee Prints on Archival Paper:
From Art.com


Available as Oil on Canvas:
Oil on Canvas Reproduction

This Norman Rockwell painting is a real treat for both the eyes and the imagination.

This was the second of three of Rockwell's April Fool paintings. John Atherton, Rockwell's friend and fellow Post illustrator, was the model for the fisherman.

The reason he started painting this series was because of the large numbers of letters he received pointing out errors in his paintings.

Rockwell was a real stickler for authenticity in detail. He did painstaking research into every conceivable detail on every composition. He traveled to other locations to photograph backgrounds, props and characters to use in his paintings.

His paintings were more accurate than some photographs.

So one can understand why criticism of the details of his work might make him a little cranky about it.

His answer: paint a picture with so many inaccuracies, contradictions and outright fantasy that most people can't begin to find them all.

Still, he even received many letters about these paintings supposed inaccuracies. (Sigh)

How many "mistakes" can you spot? Feel free to express yourself below.

Click here for Rockwell's own list of errors from the 1945 April Fool's painting Fishing.

See the other paintings in the April Fool's series, 1943's April Fool's: Checkers and 1948's April Fool's: Girl With Shopkeeper.


The March 31, 1945 Saturday Evening Post cover by Norman Rockwell entitled April Fool: Fishing

Buy it from Art.com - Click to Buy

Norman Rockwell's April Fool: Fishing (1945)
(Image Only) Copyright © 1945 Saturday Evening Post & Curtis Publishing Company



Remember to check back often.

Do You Have A Great Story, Opinion Or Contribution About April Fool: Fishing?

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"