Man Leaving Work to Go Golfing by Norman Rockwell

September 20, 1919 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Man Leaving Work to Go Golfing, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published September 20, 1919.

An alternate title for this painting is Important Business.

This painting was Rockwell's twenty-third 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 ninth Rockwell cover in 1919. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover eleven times in 1919.

This painting also appears in three Rockwell commentary books. It appears as illustration 308 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch, as illustration 119 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 80 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

This cover is very hard to find in pristine condition. For tha reason, it sells for a huge price when available in higher grades.

Man Leaving Work to Go Golfing

In this painting, Norman Rockwell gives us a lesson about priorities.

The character in this illustration, an older gentleman, appears to be a businessman.

He must be self-employed since he can leave without asking permission from the boss.

Rockwell gives a view of his desk in the background through the closing door. He hasn't closed up his roll top desk, so he must be planning on returning.

On the wall over the desk is a sign that reads "DO IT NOW." Is "IT" golf?

On the door to his office, the golfer has attached another sign. In handwritten letters, it says "Gone on important Business." We and he are the only ones who actually know what the important business is.

He is probably going to relax and clear his mind on the golf course. He will probably be more productive after his break.

Or is he coming back after his golf game? Is he playing nine holes or eighteen holes?

Or is he playing more?

We cannot tell the time of day in the picture. We assume it is afternoon, but that may be incorrect. He may be planning on playing golf all day long.

Then again, why shouldn't he play golf all day long? He has probably earned this treat.

Rockwell is telling his audience to stop and smell the roses. Or at least replace the divots.

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