Boy Measuring Height by Norman Rockwell

June 16, 1917 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Boy Measuring Height, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published June 16, 1917.

An alternate title is Recruiting Officer.

This painting was Rockwell's third picture featured in 1917 and ninth overall on the cover of The Post. The Post featured Rockwell on the cover four times in 1917 and 322 times over the course of his forty-seven year career (1916-1963) with the Post.

This painting has been reproduced in four Rockwell commentary books, on page 28 of The Norman Rockwell Album, on page 268 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch, as illustration 106 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 76 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

I have seen this original cover in pristine condition fetch over two hundred dollars on eBay. And to think it only cost five cents when it was new.

Boy Measuring Height

This was Norman Rockwell's second Post cover illustration published after the United States entered World War I. The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.

Rockwell's first World War I Post cover was Saluting the Flag, published on May 12, 1917.

It is not surprising that Rockwell referenced the Great War in this work. Rockwell was a master of using current events in his paintings.

This Norman Rockwell painting depicts two boys. The two boys are different ages and different sizes.

The older, bigger boy is definitely running the show.

The older boy is playing the part of Army recruiter. He is dressed in a World War I officer outfit, complete with a red sash, bandana and chaps on his calfs and ankles.

Did World War I officers really wear red bandanas? Rockwell was a real stickler for authenticity in his illustrations, so they probably did. Either way, more color is added with the red bandana.

The older boy also carries a wooden sword strapped to his belt. His outfit is completed by a homemade medal and epaulets on the shoulder. We have seen this and other similar swords in other Norman Rockwell paintings.

The younger boy is dressed in his suit with a tie. He is probably trying to make a good inpression. However, he is about six inches too short to sign up for the "Army." Even standing on his tiptoes.

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Norman Rockwell's Boy Measuring Height (1917)
Copyright © 1917 Saturday Evening Post & Curtis Publishing Company

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