Settling an Argument by Norman Rockwell

June 24, 1922 Issue of The Literary Digest

Settling an Argument, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Literary Digest published June 24, 1922.

The alternate title for this painting is Two Men Consulting the Globe.

This illustration was Rockwell's thirty-eighth picture featured on the cover of The Literary Digest.

Starting with his first cover illustration in 1918, Boy Showing Off Badges to the last, The Night Before Christmas in 1923, Norman Rockwell artwork was published on The Literary Digest cover forty-seven times in all.

Rockwell artwork was featured on the cover of The Digest nine times just in 1922.

The original oil on canvas painting, 25 x 22 inches or 63.5 x 56 cm, is part of a private collection.

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

• as illustration 153 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch and
• on page 60 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Settling an Argument

In this painting, Norman Rockwell depicts two scholarly older men settling an argument by consulting their globe.

The scene is the gentleman's study, a serene haven from the interruption of the outside world. This particular study is filled with books, seen in shelves on the wall and also on the table.

Also seen on the table are pictures of famous figures in history. There is also a skull paperweight.

One gentleman holds a magnifying glass to the North American side of the globe. He also holds a copy of The Literary Digest. It seems that an article in The Digest either started this particular argument or will be used to settle this argument.

It does seem odd that, in a room full of hard back books, these gentlemen are consulting a weekly opinion magazine for an answer.

It is not known whether The Digest commissioned the painting or Rockwell painted it speculatively, hoping The Digest would take it.

The other gentleman looks over his friend's shoulder. He awaits his turn with the globe, perhaps to prove his point.

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