Boys Playing Leapfrog by Norman Rockwell

June 28, 1919 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Boys Playing Leapfrog, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published June 28, 1919.

This painting was Rockwell's twentieth overall picture featured on the cover of The Post and the sixth Rockwell cover in 1919. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover eleven times in 1919.

The location of the original oil on canvas painting is not known.

This painting has reproduced in two Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 116 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 80 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Original copies of this magazine cover in pristine condition are rare. I have seen copies in very fine condition that have sold for well over one hundred dollars on eBay.

And it only cost a nickel when it was new.

Boys Playing Leapfrog

Norman Rockwell uses this painting to help us visualize one of the joys of childhood.

That joy is being able to entertain oneself.

Here we see two schoolboys playing a quick game of leapfrog. Judging by the stack of books, the two boys are on their way home from school.

It looks as if they are playing a variation of traditional leapfrog.

In the traditional game, the person offering his back as a springboard is facing the direction of the jump. In this picture, the boy is facing to one side instead.

The jumping boy is followed by his dog. The dog is hot on his heels.

In addition to the old clothes worn by the boys, another Rockwell trademark appears in the painting. The big toe on the jumping boy's left foot sports a bandage.

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