Mirror, mirror on the wall,Who was the real Norman Rockwell, after all?
Deborah Solomon, gifted author and brilliant researcher, brings Norman Rockwell to life on the pages of this book with a literary clarity and depth that is astounding. The reader is presented with an overwhelming amount of information that is both exhilarating and distressing as the author delves into the inner core of this iconic craftsman.
Behind Rockwell’s masterful work was a man filled with anxiety, one who experienced a loneliness and insecurity that marked his life. It was almost impossible for him to demonstrate affection with any consistency which resulted in an estranged relationship with his children and two of his wives. In addition, Rockwell appeared to have little tolerance for social amenities. The author reveals that “his mood, his way with people, could turn to stone in a matter of seconds.” And yet, his paintings provoked exhilaration, profound introspective thinking, pride and a sense of dignity and righteousness in being an American. His visual narratives, this genius for telling a story through illustrations in a most unique style, have been celebrated worldwide.
Solomon utilizes a plethora of unpublished letters and documents to explore Rockwell’s life, highlighting the stages of his career which began with simple pencil sketches and advanced to his lengthy tenure with The Saturday Evening Post. The author stresses the torment and agony he experienced as he continually challenged himself to achieve perfection as an artist in an ever-changing, impressionistic, art world. The picture she paints is one that leaves an indelible imprint on the mind and forces one to try to understand his idiosyncrasies and his apparent inability to consistently display an affectionate posture. This is the juncture that is conflictive since his masterpieces stimulated emotional responses repeatedly. To say that Rockwell was an enigma is an understatement, indeed.
This is a book that will touch your soul because there is much to digest that is somewhat difficult to comprehend. Those rose-colored glasses may become tilted. Many of us who have demonstrated an adoration of Norman Rockwell, having been thrilled by his illustrations, may never truly understand this man in the mirror. But it cannot be denied that he left us a legacy of beauty and love of country that will forever be reflected in our hearts.