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Homecoming Marine by Norman Rockwell
October 13, 1945 Issue of The Saturday Evening PostHomecoming Marine, a Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published October 13, 1945. This is another favorite of Rockwell collectors, a classic enduring image of the world Rockwell painted. This painting was Rockwell's 232nd 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 sixth cover for The Post in 1945. In 1945, there were ten Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers published. The original oil on canvas painting, 46 x 42 inches or 117 x 106.5 cm, is part of a private collection. This painting also appears in seven Rockwell commentary books. It appears:
One study also appears in the Norman Rockwell Catalogue on pages 162. 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. Homecoming MarineGiclee Prints on Archival Paper: Norman Rockwell uses the topic of this painting to show us a study on hero worship. In this case, the object of that worship actually is a real hero. The setting pictured is Benedict's Garage, a local hangout in Arlington, Vermont, where Rockwell lived at the time. You can bet that, except for the story props that Rockwell used to convey his message, the garage looked exactly as it does in the painting. The center of attention and admiration in this scene is the young man in the Marine uniform. He is holding a captured Japanese flag, indicating that he fought in the Asian theatre of action during World War Two. Even without the rapt attention being paid to the Marine, we could tell that he is a hero by the newpaper clipping on the wall that proudly proclaims "Garageman A Hero." A smaller version of the picture in the newspaper hanging beside the clipping also indicates that we are inside the garage where the hero worked before the war and where he will likely return to work. Another indication that the other garagemen considered the Marine to be like family is the red white and blue banner that features one star. This banner, called a service flag, was given to indicate the number of family members who were serving. How big a hero is "Joe?" Well, one of his medals is the Silver Star. That is America's third highest award. The Silver Star is given for outstanding combat duty against an enemy on the battlefield. The other characters in the painting are all giving Marine Joe their complete attention. The two boys, modeled by two of Rockwell's sons, Jarvis, the oldest, and Peter, the youngest, are especially rapt. Homecoming Marine was only one of 322 Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers; Here is the list of Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations.
Here is the complete list of all Norman Rockwell magazine covers. All ages are represented in this painting from the boys to the oldest man sitting with his back to the viewer. Ages between are depicted by the Marine, the two mechanics and the policeman. All but the boys are likely veterans, though the two mechanics probably served between World Wars. What are your thoughts on this Norman Rockwell masterpiece on heroes?
Norman Rockwell's Homecoming Marine (1945)
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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. Rockwell Favorites
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