Product Description

He remains the most beloved and visible American painter of the century much to the chagrin of the formal art world. His name has come to symbolize the best of an era when American had a clean, shining patriotic vision. Norman Rockwell 's paintings captured an idealized vision of America that hit home for millions of people. His 320 covers for the Saturday Evening Post made him famous, and his originals found their way into the collections of Richard Nixon, Johnny Carson, Steven Spielberg and Andy Warhol. Filled with close-ups of his timeless works, this illuminating BIOGRAPHY; uncovers the complicated artist and examines his lasting influence on the nation. Former models and friends provide an intimate glimpse of the artist and man, while the curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum leads an exclusive tour that focuses on Rockwell's most famous works, and reflects on his legacy. NORMAN ROCKWELL is the revealing portrait of an artist whose vision transformed the way the nation sees itself.

Product Details

• #20281 in VHS
• Released on: 2000-08-29
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Amazon.com
Never has an illustrator won the heart of America so entirely as did Norman Rockwell. A&E's Biography captures his extensive body of work and the career that spanned six decades. While Rockwell's work never gained critical praise from art historians, his creative genius consistently graced the cover of The Saturday Evening Post from 1918 until his final cover, a portrait of JFK, after the young president's assassination in 1963. Models relate the adventures of posing for the good-natured and plucky artist, while various authorities comment on Rockwell's artistic contribution to the national spirit of the country during both turbulent and prosperous times. The various eras depicted by the illustrator are paralleled with grainy black-and-white footage, family photographs, and some surprising details of Rockwell's personal life. Biography shows us that time after time he was able to illustrate the 20th century in a way that profoundly connected with the spirit, optimism, and pride of a burgeoning nation. He was able to convey a sense of security in an often insecure world. Step briefly into this world of Norman Rockwell, where "there are always good people waiting to save us." --Amy Levine

From the Back Cover
His painterly vision captured an America shining with home-spun values and patriotic idealism -- a fact that thoroughly irritated the formal art world. But during his 60-year career as one of the country's most visible and beloved artists, Norman Rockwell would rise to become nothing less than "America's painter."

His unique perspective crystallized an image of life in America that positively glows with nostalgia. Now, go behind the scenes to see how Norman Rockwell created over 320 Life Magazine covers, creating paintings eagerly sought after by collectors from Richard Nixon to Ringo Starr. Former models and friends provide an intimate glimpse of the artist and man, while the curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum leads an exclusive tour focusing on Rockwell's most famous visions of America's "golden age."

Illustrating the complex personality behind his marvelously uncomplicated art, it's a wonderful BIOGRAPHY of the artist who literally transformed the way our nation sees itself.