Boy Asleep with Hoe by Norman Rockwell

September 6, 1919 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Boy Asleep with Hoe, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published September 6, 1919.

This painting was Rockwell's twenty-second overall picture out of 322 total Rockwell paintings featured on the cover of The Post.

It was also the eighth 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 unknown.

This painting has been reproduced in two Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 118 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 80 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

I have seen copies of the rare original published cover in pristine condition sell for big bucks on eBay. And it only cost a nickel when it was newly purchased.

Boy Asleep with Hoe

Here Norman Rockwell shows us what happens when motivation lapses.

This young man has been left alone when he is supposed to be working in the garden. He is probably just taking a break. At least that was his intention when he sat down. "Just for a minute," I can almost hear him thinking.

Well, the minute has long passed. The heat of the day (notice the sweat rolling down the side of his face) has taken its toll on this boy.

We do not know in whose garden he is supposed to handling that hoe. It may be his grandparents, his parents or even his own.

He is no doubt dressed for work. His pants are cut-off and ragged to boot.

His straw hat lays on the ground at his feet. No need for a hat under a shade tree. The straw hat is a Rockwell trademark.

Another Rockwell trademark, a bandaged big toe, also appears in this painting.

Even his little dog has joined him. There's nothing like a nap in the shade on a hot summer's day.

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