A CHRISTMAS BOOK!
Norman Rockwell may have passed away back in 1978, but he remains a fascinating artist of the 20th Century who beautifully captured the American way of life. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the United States of America's highest civilian honor, 574 of a total 4,000 of his prolific paintings are on display in a museum near his home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
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As a young kid who attended public schools, I recall seeing Norman Rockwell's paintings because they appeared on so many children's magazine covers in my elementary school. With the approaching festive Holidays, I wanted to include a Rockwell painting that reflects the Christmas Season as I experienced it as a child. What I see in the painting I have featured above is a more innocent time where the excited anticipation of the Holiday tradition is beautifully captured with simplicity and grace. I often wonder if children today feel this same sense of excitement? What are your thoughts?
posted by Michael Manning @ 8:23 PM
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22 Comments:
We all have in our recollection pictures that are so representative of Christmas as we recall it from our childhood.
The realist in me will say the same as every older generation before me; the kids of today feel very little of the same joy we felt as children, they lack the appreciation of simpler things and fail to see the magic in the spirit of Christmas.
The optimist in me would like to believe, that children today are the same as they have always been, exited about the Holidays in an innocent way, which feels different to us as we no longer relate to the same feelings ourselves.
I don't say too much about family in my blog--but I have a picture of my daughter hauling the Christmas tree back to the truck after we cut it down this year--unfortunately, at that time, we had no snow.
Growing up in the South, I was always envious of Grandma Moses Christmas scenes.
Rockwell put so much into his paintings that it takes many viewing to see them all. On the surface they are quite simple so the casual observer gets the main point right away.
As an English teacher we would use his pictures and have the students write a detailed description of it and then read them aloud. It was amazing the finer points that would come out after all the papers were read.
Protege: Very well expressed. Thanks for your visit, as always! :)
Sage: The 70's and 80's were truly a simpler time, no question. Thanks for sharing! :)
PM: That is very interesting and sounds fun. To have a Teacher who can combine fun along with a study assignment lends a new perspective to students about the oy of learning! :)
society has changed since the 1970s.
people used to say with pride that they kept their doors unlocked, but nobody is foolish enough to do that today.
i can remember my grandparents talking about relying on "government assistance" as if it were a bad thing.
but for children? the magic of being a kid is still there. they look forward to christmas.
the world's troubles never go away. societies change, people change. but for children, at least the ones lucky enough to enjoy a more-or-less traditional christmas, the magic remains.
Seraphine: I must say. Your have really captured a lot here in your comment for us all and I appreciate that very, very much. I have stated this often, but it's true: I keep the child within me alive, and I will always cherish those special feelings from my own childhood. lol to you!!! :)
LOVE Norman Rockewll!
I have his Christmas Book (although the front of mine is different and it's background is white) My Mom gave me in 1976 when I was 10 years old. I never ever get tired of going through and reading it - even when it's NOT Christmas. It keeps Christmas in my heart!
Evening, Patti: It's so refreshing to read your note. It makes my heart warm that you cherish this book year-round. lol!:)
To be honest Michael, I never heard or read about this book and author...I will try to have a look in bookshops and libraries here;)..
Actually I´m very keen on vampire saga "Twilight"..hehehhe
Btw, new more art at my blogs this week..so hope you´ll like them!!..
P.S: Thanks very much for mentioned me to your artist friend;)
Hi, Maria: I'll have to check that out. lol!
The wee ones.. they have the same excitement. They're too little to have anything but innocent anticipation. The older kidlets, I fear a bit more jaded. They're the ones who are bombarded by ads. Of course, all depends on their upbringing. Many families help to keep their childlike anticipation alive.
Hilary: I think you are right. One of the great things about Christmas is to see the excitement young kids have about Santa coming to town! Precious! Have a great week! :)
norman seems like a very american name. its actually old german, meaning "northern." the name peaked in popularity in the united states during the great depression. the name norman seems to be as solid as a rockwell painting.
I love Norman Rockwell. We see a lot of it in this city since The Saturday Evening Post was published here and his work was featured on the covers.
Seraphine: Very interesting. I appreciated your kind note as always. Thanks!
Hi Teresa! Yeah, that was the one publication he was best known for among others. He really seemed to capture both stark and endearing images of America. :)
Just seeing that picture brought the old familiar butterflies of excitement to my belly. Does it ever go away?
Oddly enough it reminds me of Christmas in Germany when the kids were little.
I have to go.
I must have eggnog immediately!
hee!
Norman Rockwell was one of the first artist I saw as a child..upon looking at a book of his artwork I said to myself "I want to draw people like he does"..so I started with horses first then with portraits of people. He was a wonderful artist. His artwork to me showed so much of the "American way of life" when "yes", things were more simpler and happy and less complicated. Now, we've just too many "Things" and way too many "Choices"..it's beyond believeable! I, myself have always wanted to chose "The simple life' with mother nature and father sky. Though at times I haven't had much of a choice of late I still yearn for the simple life and away from the city life.
My thoughts are that I want to go outside during the holidays and throw snowballs at "adults" whom I know of course..and we will fall and roll around in the snow and make snow angels..that's my wish and thoughts about how I would like to spend the holidays..letting my "inner child" to come out and play.
Blessings and great post...thank you for sharing the thought and artwork.
Rhiannon
T-I SO enjoy your sense of humor. You are among a mere handful of bloggers I have had the Joy of meeting in person and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2010! xoxo!
Michael
Rhiannon: That is a wonderful thought for the Holidays! lol!!!:D
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