Norman Rockwell Drawings, 1914-1976

September 10, 2022 through March 26, 2023

Though best known for his painted magazine covers and illustrations for stories, books, and advertisements, Norman Rockwell was also a prolific and masterful draftsman who utilized drawing as an essential underpinning of his art. Whether rough or highly refined, Rockwell’s drawing process made it possible for him to envision every aspect of a final work before it was begun. In the painting and related “doodle,” the artist is surrounded by studies and a range of visual references, but this lively, empathetic self-portrait is misleading. Rockwell rarely began a painting at the oil-on-canvas stage. By the time a canvas was on his easel, he would have completed several stages of preparation, including the creation of sketches, photographic references, and at least one highly detailed tonal drawing to be traced onto canvas.

The Boy Who Put the World on Wheels, 1952

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
The Boy Who Put the World on Wheels, 1952
Advertisement illustration for the Ford Motor Company in 1952
graphite on paper
Collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum
© 1952 Norman Rockwell Family Agency

Their utilitarian purpose belies the strength and aesthetic beauty of Rockwell’s drawings, which traverse all phases of his six-decade career—from his earliest art school explorations to the exceptionally accomplished tonal charcoals that preceded his most popular mid-century Post covers. This exhibition features studies and drawings for many of Rockwell’s most noted works, and is accompanied by a catalogue published by Abbeville Press.

About the Artist

Born in New York City in 1894, Norman Rockwell always wanted to be an artist. At age 14, Rockwell enrolled in art classes at The New York School of Art (formerly The Chase School of Art). Two years later, in 1910, he left high school to study art at The National Academy of Design. He soon transferred to The Art Students League, where he studied with Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. Fogarty’s instruction in illustration prepared Rockwell for his first commercial commissions. From Bridgman, Rockwell learned the technical skills on which he relied throughout his long career. Learn more…

IMAGES

Tom Sawyer (Tom & Becky in Cave)

Norman Rockwell
Tom Sawyer (Tom & Becky in Cave), 1936
Pencil and charcoal on paper
24 x 18 in.
Private Collection

Chateau Fontainbleu, 1932

Norman Rockwell
Chateau Fontainbleu, 1932
Pencil on paper
15 x 11 in.
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection,
Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust

Girl At Mirror

Norman Rockwell
Girl at Mirror, 1954
Wolff crayon & charcoal on paper
30 3/4 x 19 1/4 in.
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection by
purchase; Mrs. Beatrice F. King Fohey

Problem We All Live With

Norman Rockwell
Study for The Problem We All Live With, 1963
Wolff pencil and charcoal on paper
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, from
Lynda Gunn, Norman Rockwell Model for
The Problem We All Live With

Norman Rockwell
My Studio Burns, 1943
Pencil on illustration board
21 1/2 x 17 in.
Private Collection

RELATED EVENTS

MEDIA

American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell (Remastered)

Published: December 12, 2017

BOOK REVIEW: Norman Rockwell Drawings by HYPERALLERGIC

Explore the review by Lauren Moya Ford; order your copy, see the exhibition before it closes JAN 7!

SHOP

Norman Rockwell Drawings Exhibit Catalog

“Extensively illustrated, Norman Rockwell: Drawings, 1911–1976 is the first book dedicated to the artist’s prolific but largely private drawing practice.” 

PURCHASE

Drawings Collection

Prints and signed limited editions of some of the artwork on display.

SHOP

VENUE(S)

Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA    September 2, 2022 through January 7, 2023

Hours

OPEN
Mon 10am-4pm
Tue 10am-4pm
Thu 10am-4pm
Fri 10am-4pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-5pm

CLOSED
Wednesdays
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
ROCKWELL’S STUDIO
Closed for the season.
Opens May 1, 2025

Special Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10am-2pm.

Admissions

There are limited daily tickets for tours of Norman Rockwell’s Studio. It is recommended you purchase your museum admission and studio tour tickets online in advance of your visit.  Museum Visit admission is required for all tours.

Buy Admission

Members Adult Seniors /
Veterans & Military		 Children MA Teachers College
Students
Museum Visit: Free $25 $23 Free $22 $10
Curator Tour:
Original Sisters		 $10 + $20 + $20 Free + $20 + $20
Guided Tour:
Rockwell’s Life & Art
(40 minutes)		 Free +$10 +$10 Free +$10 +$10

There are limited daily tickets for tours of Norman Rockwell’s Studio. It is recommended you purchase your museum admission and studio tour tickets online in advance of your visit.  Museum Visit admission is required for all tours.

Buy Admission

Museum Visit:
Members, Children, & Active Military: FREE
Adults: $25
Seniors & Retired Military: $23
MA Teachers: $22
College Students: $10

Guided Tour:
Rockwell’s Life & Art
(40 minutes) – additional purchase
Members, Children, & Active Military: FREE
Ticket per person: $10

Curator Tour:
Original Sisters
Members: $10
Children: FREE
Adults: $20
Seniors & Active/Retired Military: $20
College Students: $20

Additional Discount Opportunities:

  • Front Line Medical Workers receive free admission.
  • AAA member, NARM member, Stockbridge Resident, and EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare Cardholder discounts available.

For Free and Reduced prices, you may be required to present a valid ID demonstrating your status for qualifying for discounted pricing.

Available Discounts
Kids Free is supported by:
Connector Card is supported by:
Norman Rockwell Museum receives support from:

DIRECTIONS

Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Glendale Road Route 183
Stockbridge, MA 01262
413-931-2221

Download a Printable version of Driving Directions (acrobat PDF).

Important note: Many GPS and online maps do not accurately place Norman Rockwell Museum*. Please use the directions provided here and this map image for reference. Google Maps & Directions are correct! http://maps.google.com/

* Please help us inform the mapping service companies that incorrectly locate the Museum; let your GPS or online provider know and/or advise our Visitor Services office which source provided faulty directions.

Route 7 runs north to south through the Berkshires. Follow Route 7 South to Stockbridge. Turn right onto Route 102 West and follow through Main Street Stockbridge. Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

Route 7 runs north to south through the Berkshires. Follow Route 7 North into Stockbridge. Turn left onto Route 102 West at the stop sign next to The Red Lion Inn. Shortly after you make the left turn, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

Boston (two-and-a-half hours) or Springfield (one hour):
Take the Ma ssachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West, getting off at exit 10 (formerly exit 2) – Lee. At the light at the end of the ramp turn left onto Route 20 East and then immediately turn right onto Route 102 West. Follow Route 102 West into Stockbridge Center (about five miles). Continue going west on Route 102 (Main St.). Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

from Albany and west: (one hour) Take I-90 east to exit B3 – Route 22. Go south on New York Route 22 to Massachusetts Route 102 East. Stay on Route 102 East through West Stockbridge. Continue on Route 102 East approximately 5.5 miles until you come to a blinking light at the intersection of Route 183. Make a right at the blinking light onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

(two-and-a-half hours) Take either the New York State Thruway or the Taconic State Parkway to I-90 East. Follow I-90 East to exit B3 – Route 22. Go south on New York Route 22 to Massachusetts Route 102 East. Stay on Route 102 East through West Stockbridge. Continue on Route 102 East approximately 5.5 miles until you come to a blinking light at the intersection of Route 183. Make a right at the blinking light onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

(one-and-a-half hours) Take I-91 North to the Massachusetts Turnpike. Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West, getting off at exit 10 (formerly exit 2) – Lee. At the light at the end of the ramp turn left onto Route 20 East and then immediately turn right onto Route 102 West. Follow Route 102 West into Stockbridge Center (about five miles). Continue going west on Route 102 (Main St.). Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

(five minutes)
Go west on Route 102 (Main St.). Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.