Museum of American Illustration

Society of Illustrators - New York, New York

The Museum of American Illustration features three original Norman Rockwell paintings in its permanent collection.

While the three Rockwell paintings do not comprise the bulk of the Museum's collection, Norman Rockwell art collectors will, of course consider them the most important part.

Of course, the Museum has many other fine works of art in addition to these Norman Rockwell original paintings.

Many other artists, such as Dean Cornwell and others, from the Golden Age of American Illustration (1870-1965) have their works represented in this celebrated collection.

Museum of American Illustration: Three Original Norman Rockwell Paintings

The first and most important painting, in my opinion, is The Christmas Coach (Dover Coach). This is one of Norman Rockwell's largest paintings.

The Christmas Coach, a oil on canvas, was first published in the December 28, 1935 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, taking up 2 pages, pages 18 through 19. As noted earlier, this is a large and very wide illustration.

The Christmas Coach also appears in the header graphic at the museum's website. It's not the same as seeing it in person, but it's better than not seeing it at all.

The museum also houses two portraits, the first of which is the Portrait of Wesley B. McKeown. This portrait was rendered with charcoal on paper and is from 1969. Wesley B. McKeown was an author and illustrator.

Also included in the museum's collection is another portrait named Portrait of a Woman. The year and date this was painted is unknown. The name of the subject is also unknown. Portrait of a Woman is a 19 x 16 inches or 48.5 x 40.5 cm charcoal and pencil on board.

Of course, the Museum has many other fine works of art in addition to these Norman Rockwell original paintings. Many other artists, such as Dean Cornwell and others, from the Golden Age of American Illustration (1870-1965) have their works represented in this celebrated collection.

This Museum is definitely worth a visit.

About The Society of Illustrators' Museum of American Illustration

The museum is operated by the Society of Illustrators.

Museum hours are:
Tuesdays 10AM to 8PM,
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10AM to 5PM
Saturdays 12 NOON to 4PM.
The Museum is closed on Mondays and on most holidays.

Admission is free.

The address is
128 East 63rd Street
New York, New York 10065

Phone (212) 838-2560

Visit the museum website. (Opens new window.)

This museum is not to be confused with another one with a similar name, The National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, Rhode Island.