The Valedictorian by Norman Rockwell

June 14, 1919 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

The Valedictorian, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published June 14, 1919.

The alternate titles for this illustration are Graduation Speaker and Recitation.

This painting was Rockwell's nineteenth 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 fifth Rockwell cover in 1919. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover eleven times in 1919.

The original oil on canvas painting, 30 x 24 inches or 76.2 x 61 cm, is part of a private collection.

This painting has reproduced in one Rockwell commentary book, on page 79 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

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

The Valedictorian

This Norman Rockwell painting shows a familiar graduation scene.

All the children are dressed in their finest outfits. The boys wear neckties and coats. The girls have on their prettiest dresses.

Two children have already received their diplomas. They have finished the walk and are sitting down. They might possibly be second and third in the class order.

Now it is the Valedictorian's turn.

The valedictorian traditionally gives a speech after receiving his diploma. However, this boy looks perplexed. He is scratching his head. He is looking up and to his left, trying to remember his speech, or at least some part of it.

The girl behind him on the stage looks to be trying to help him remember. Perhaps she helped him write the speech. Perhaps she coached him while he memorized it.

For some reason, she seems invested in the success of his speech.

The boy behind him, however, looks genuinely tickled at his classmate's predicament.

He is giggling behind his hand. His eyes are smiling. Could it be that he was Salutatorian and is just glad he was spared? Or is he jealous of his classmate.

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