Norman Rockwell’s iconic illustrations did not just capture American life – they helped shape how Americans saw themselves for generations. Through masterful brush strokes, Rockwell painted the tender moments of human experience and transformed private moments of vulnerability into shared experiences that touched millions. During the 1960s, in the twilight of his career, Rockwell confronted America’s struggle with racial justice head-on, marking a profound evolution in his artistry and expanding his exploration of belonging and exclusion into powerful statements on civil rights that resonate today.
Lecturer Jane Oneail is a college-level teacher and the founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and presents art appreciation programs.
Pictured: Norman Rockwell, New Kids in the Neighborhood, 1967. Look Magazine illustration. Oil on canvas. Brooklyn Museum.