 |
The Sleepy Scholar
|
This Norman Rockwell painting, entitled The Sleepy Scholar, appeared on the cover of American Magazine on the May 1921 issue...
(continued)
This was the fourth picture by Rockwell to appear on the American Magazine cover. American Magazine only published seven Rockwell illustrated covers, between 1918 and 1923.
Rockwell only submitted to this and other smaller magazines after the publishers of the larger magazines had declined to publish the cover illustration.
Clearly, Rockwell's first choice of publication was The Saturday Evening Post. He believed that the Post cover was America's biggest showcase window for artists. Of course, his career confirmed this.
If you like The Sleepy Scholar, here is our list of Norman Rockwell magazine covers. There you will find links to all the magazine covers that Rockwell painted.
The Sleepy Scholar
In this portrait, Rockwell gives us a glimpse into how tedious school can be when the students are expected to learn.This scholar is studying Latin. There are really not many reasons to study Latin. Although, if a student is able to master a dead language, then he is more likely to be able to master a language still spoken.
Is he really sleepy, or is his attention to the task at hand just waning?
No matter how engrossed this young student may be in the subject, there always comes a time that his concentration is broken. Rockwell shows that moment.
There are other objects competing for his attention. Another schoolbook lies on his desk. And beside that an object even more attractive to a young boy's mind: a baseball.
Rockwell's attention to detail is visible in his treatment of the front of the desk.
On the far left we can see a heart carved with an arrow through it. Inside the heart are the initials W P on top, M O underneath.
Beside the heart is an artist's rendering of a woman with an umbrella. Presumably this figure represents the schoolteacher.
Next to the schoolteacher, we can see a horse galloping.
The final touch in the rendering of the desk is also the deepest. Someone has stuck their spent chewing gum on this desk. Some things never change...
(continued)
Search Google for More Norman Rockwell Art
Graphics Protected by Digimarc.
Contact us for permission and details for using our content on your website.
The only thing required is a link back to this page.
