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Home On Leave by Norman Rockwell

Home On Leave by Norman Rockwell
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September 15, 1945 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post


Home On Leave, a Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published September 15, 1945. This is another favorite of Rockwell collectors, a classic enduring image of the world Rockwell painted.

An alternate title for this painting is Sailor in Hammock.

This painting was Rockwell's 231st 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 fifth cover for The Post in 1945. In 1945, there were ten Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers published.

The original oil on canvas painting, 28 x 27 inches or 71 x 68.5 cm, is part of a private collection. The original painting sold for $4,520,000 at auction on May 23, 2007 at Sotheby's in New York City.

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

  • on pages 326 and 349 of Norman Rockwell 332 Magazine Covers by Christopher Finch
  • on page 77 of Norman Rockwell's World War II by Susan Meyer
  • as illustration 249 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch
  • as illustration 412 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and
  • on page 161 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.




Home On Leave

Giclee Prints on Archival Paper:
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Available as Oil on Canvas:
Oil on Canvas Reproduction

In this painting, Norman Rockwell shows us a typical 1945 military scene.

How great is it to be home? Well, just one look at this sailor tells us that Rockwell had not forgotten his World War One service.

The war was over by the publication of this painting on the Post cover in 1945. The Germans had surrendered on May 7th and the Axis power to surrender was Japan on August 15th.

So this sailor had earned a well deserved leave to visit home.

Well, we can be sure that this hammock was not his first stop. There is no doubt that he gave Mom a hug and shook hands with Dad. If he has any siblings, hugs, kisses and handshakes were dispensed all around.

After that it was off to the back yard hammock for undisturbed rest accompanied by the family dog (who was probably the first to greet him as soon as he stepped into the yard.)

He has kicked off his shoes and is enjoying a nap in the safety of home.

Ah... home on leave!


The September 15, 1945 Saturday Evening Post cover by Norman Rockwell entitled Home On Leave

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Norman Rockwell's Home On Leave (1945)
(Image Only) Copyright © 1945 Saturday Evening Post & Curtis Publishing Company



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The sailor in this wonderful painting is a gentleman by the name of Leo Maguire. He is a great man and a friend of my family. Unfortunately, I learned …

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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.

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