Courting Couple at Midnight by Norman Rockwell

March 22, 1919 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Courting Couple at Midnight, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published March 22, 1919.

This painting was Rockwell's seventeenth 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.

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

The original oil on canvas painting, 25 x 19 inches or 63.5 x 48 cm, is part of a private collection.

This painting has reproduced in four Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 89 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch, as illustration 113 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner, on page 21 of Norman Rockwell: A Sixty Year Retrospective 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 sold for well over one hundred dollars on eBay. And to think it only cost a nickel when it was new.

Courting Couple at Midnight

Norman Rockwell shows us in this illustration the most dreaded time in any suitor's evening. That time is when it is time to leave. Especially if your date is smiling and asking you not to go just yet.

This suitor is all dressed up, just as he should be. He is making a good impression. Anyone can see that he likes this young lady.

He is wearing his best collar. He has a pink carnation on his lapel. His hair is slicked back just right. Yes, sir! Just right.

The young lady has her head on his shoulder. She also is dressed to impress.

There is only one small problem.

It is midnight. The pendulum on the clock keeps on swinging, no matter how much fun they are having.

The little bird's door has just opened. He will be out to sing shortly.

The young man looks at the bird in the clock as if to say "Please stay inside for a little while longer."

But the bird will sing anyway.

Then it will be time to say sweet good-byes until next time.

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