Clown and Boy by Norman Rockwell

May 18, 1918 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Clown and Boy, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published May 18, 1918.

One alternate title for this illustration is Off-Duty Clown. Another title is Meet the Clown.

This painting was Rockwell's twelfth overall picture featured on the cover of The Post and the second Rockwell cover in 1918. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover four times in 1918.

The original oil on canvas painting, 27 x 24 inches or 68.5 x 61 cm, is part of a private collection.

This painting has reproduced in three Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 114 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner, on page 155 of Norman Rockwell: Illustrator by Arthur L. Guptill and on page 77 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Original copies of this magazine cover in pristine condition have sold for well over one hundred dollars on eBay. And it only cost a nickel when it was new.

Clown and Boy

With this painting, Norman Rockwell treats to a glimpse into the life of a clown.

Of the three characters in the painting, only one seems aware of the others. That character is the boy.

He has just seen the circus show. That show probably featured these other two characters, the clown and his clown dog. He is anxious to make small talk with such celebrity characters. He will brag to friends tomorrow about his exploits.

The boy still carries his 5 cent bag of peanuts and his helium-filled balloon on a stick. He already has a physical souvenir, but he wants a little mental souvenir.

The clown is off duty. All he wants to do between shows is to relax, cool his giant feet and read the sports page. He has at least one more show to do or he would have already removed his costume. So he ignores the boy.

The clown dog is really ignoring the scenario. He is asleep, though still in costume. No doubt he is saving his energy for jumping through flaming hoops and such.

The boy will just have to concoct a good story for his friends, because these two are just not interested.

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