Norman Rockwell Museum Unites Kennedy Portraits For The First Time
STOCKBRIDGE — Norman Rockwell Museum has added an important set of portraits, honoring one of the most beloved couples in political history, to its current exhibition "Norman Rockwell: Illustrator in Chief." Portraits of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, created by Norman Rockwell in the 1960s, will be united in the Museum's galleries for the first time, reminding visitors of the splendor that was "Camelot."Throughout his career, Norman Rockwell painted the portraits of a distinguished list of political figures. In 1960 he was commissioned by "The Saturday Evening Post" to paint John F. Kennedy, then in the middle of his presidential campaign. The resulting portrait was published on the October 29, 1960 cover of the "Post." Soon after Kennedy was elected president, his wife Jacqueline established the White House Historical Association, and famously devoted much of her time to the restoration of the historical appearance of the Executive Mansion. In light of her efforts, the "Post" commissioned Rockwell to paint the First Lady's portrait to illustrate "How Jackie Restyled the White House," an article published in the October 26, 1963 issue. Thanks to the generosity of lenders Mica and Richard Hadar, Norman Rockwell's "Portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy" will now be exhibited for the first time alongside Rockwell's 1960 "Portrait of John F. Kennedy," which is part of Norman Rockwell Museum's permanent collection.
On view through November 9, 2008
"Norman Rockwell: Illustrator in Chief"
Throughout his career, Norman Rockwell produced numerous illustrations related to the American presidential election. From 1952 to 1960, Rockwell's portraits of the major presidential candidates- including Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy- graced the covers of "The Saturday Evening Post." In 1964, he began working for "Look," where he continued to generate portraits of such presidential hopefuls as Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and Ronald Reagan.
This collections-based exhibition features Norman Rockwell's portraits of the candidates from 1952 to 1968, which bring us back to an America that witnessed the war in Vietnam, political assassinations, and one of the most complex elections in the nation's history. Rockwell's relationship with the candidates, and subsequently with the presidency, will be explored through correspondence and photographs from his personal papers, audio commentary, as well as his Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to art appreciation and education through new scholarship that illuminates Norman Rockwell's unique contributions to art, society, and popular culture. As a center devoted to the art of illustration, the Museum also exhibits the works of contemporary and past masters in an ongoing series of compelling artist showcases. Previous exhibitions at the Museum have presented the work of Frederic Remington, Charles Schulz, Winslow Homer, Howard Pyle, J.C. Leyendecker, Maxfield Parrish, Rockwell Kent, Al Hirschfeld, Robert Weaver, David Macaulay, James Gurney, and others. Set on a picturesque 36-acre estate in Stockbridge, MA, the hometown of America's favorite artist, the Norman Rockwell Museum is one of the leading arts institutes of the Berkshires.
Norman Rockwell Museum is open daily. General public admission is $12.50 for adults, $7 for students, and free for visitors 18 and under (five per adult). Kids Free Every Day is a gift to families from Country Curtains and the Red Lion Inn. On Wednesdays from November to May, senior citizens are admitted at half-price. The Museum is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October; from November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekend/holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery tours are available daily, beginning on the hour. Antenna Audio Tour of select paintings from the Museum's permanent Norman Rockwell collection is available. Rockwell's studio, located on the Museum grounds, is open May through October.
For more information, the public is invited to call 413.298.4100, ext. 220. Visit the Museum's Web site at http://www.nrm.org.
