Schoolboy Gazing Out Window by Norman Rockwell

June 10, 1922 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Schoolboy Gazing Out Window, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published June 10, 1922.

An alternate title for this painting is Patient Friend.

This painting was Rockwell's forty-ninth overall picture out of 322 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.

It was also the sixth Rockwell cover in 1922. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover ten times in 1922.

The original oil on canvas painting, 27 x 24 inches or 68.5 x 61 cm, is part of a private collection.

This illustration has been reproduced in three Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 57 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch, as illustration 150 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and on page 90 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Examples of early Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers, like this one, are always hard to find in presentable condition. Even copies in less than excellent condition sell for for more than one hundred dollars on the auction sites. Be prepared to pay more for higher grades of this cover.

Schoolboy Gazing Out Window

This Norman Rockwell painting raises questions for the viewer.

The first and foremost question that springs to my mind is whether or not this is the last day of school before summer vacation. The other possibility is that this particular schoolboy is attending summer school.

Not matter the particular details of the situation, his misery is evident in the expression on his face.

He is looking longingly out the window.

Is he longing just to be outdoors? Or does he long for school to be over?

His dog has jumped on top of the barrel and is looking at him through the window as well.

The dog has raised his paw and is no doubt pawing at the window to get the boy's attention. That is akin to rubbing salt on a wound, although unintentionally.

The boy would be outside if he could be.

Also resting on top of the same barrel is an item that raises another question. The fishing pole. It appears that our schoolboy has a fishing trip planned after school. He even has a tin can for his bait.

Boy, dog and fishing. What a great way to start a summer vacation!

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