World War I Soldier Marching with Children by Norman Rockwell

February 22, 1919 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

World War I Soldier Marching with Children, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published February 22, 1919.

This painting was Rockwell's sixteenth overall picture out of 322 total featured on the cover of The Post. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

Thois was also the second Rockwell cover in 1919. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover eleven times in 1919.

The original oil on canvas painting, 24.5 x 24,5 inches or 62 x 62 cm, is part of a private collection.

This painting has reproduced in two Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 112 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 78 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

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

World War I Soldier Marching with Children

At the time of publication, World War I hostilities had ceased for three months. The German Kaiser had abdicated in November 1918 and peace certainly looked to be at hand.

It was only natural that Rockwell depicted soldiers returning home to their families, friend and hometowns. Rockwell usually painted current events.

Here we see a World War I soldier returning to his hometown. He wears three medals on his chest. He is a returning war hero.

Can anyone identify the medals he wears? Rockwell was a stickler for authentic details, so the medals are likely real World War One medals.

He walks like he is still marching in formation. In fact, he is marching in formation. His fellow soldiers are all children.

His fellow soldiers are a rag-tag bunch. Only one wears a helmet, and that is actually a soup-pot. That same child wears a very large medal and carries a sword. He also wears a very serious look on his face.

One other child wears a sword in his scabbard. That child also wears a hat made of newspaper.

The rest of the children are all weaponless and dressed in civilian clothes.

Most importantly, they are all glad to welcome their war hero home.

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