tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post2223492514641963903..comments2024-03-18T07:23:32.809-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: Antique DollJames Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-36537254722927379702009-12-15T16:39:04.564-05:002009-12-15T16:39:04.564-05:00Thanks, Ian. That's an interesting picture. Yo...Thanks, Ian. That's an interesting picture. You can see that NR had the doctor about finished and it appears he was just beginning to place the little girl.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-50959498115576625312009-12-15T14:10:48.358-05:002009-12-15T14:10:48.358-05:00Rockwell and this painting (in progress) appear in...Rockwell and this painting (in progress) appear in an ad for Mennen Menthol-Iced Shaving Cream. <br /><br />I'm not sure if this link will work, but it appears in Popular Mechanics for May 1929, page 115.<br /><br />http://books.google.com/books?id=bCoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA115Ian Schoenherrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906881923887306477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-38572722557122788422009-12-14T16:06:23.902-05:002009-12-14T16:06:23.902-05:00We had a book of Rockwell paintings when I was a k...We had a book of Rockwell paintings when I was a kid. I was utterly fascinated by them, and now see just how talented he really was. Lovely story about the lady donating the doll to the museum. Thank-you James!Rebecca S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16409572371302109142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-69539584378192672552009-12-14T09:06:22.648-05:002009-12-14T09:06:22.648-05:00Tom, yes, there's a Berkshire bank or insuranc...Tom, yes, there's a Berkshire bank or insurance company mural that Rockwell finished. Cornwell and Rockwell were friends and used to drive around in an old jalopy looking for antiques.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-89727156856444854002009-12-14T04:58:29.841-05:002009-12-14T04:58:29.841-05:00I'm such a peasant, I knew very litte about No...I'm such a peasant, I knew very litte about Norman Rockwell's work before I got hooked on your posts and I've enjoys them so very much. The odd bits of knowledge that I'm sure I would have found no where else have been much appreciated. Thank you.<br />Maureen. www.thepizzagang.comMaureenHumehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05081634584483171524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-16007469957174705262009-12-14T01:47:38.220-05:002009-12-14T01:47:38.220-05:00Hi James
Is it true that Dean Cromwell had to tak...Hi James<br /><br />Is it true that Dean Cromwell had to take over a mural project that Rockwell was unable to complete at some point?Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04641223414745777056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-20699840313779675912009-12-13T15:06:58.165-05:002009-12-13T15:06:58.165-05:00Steve and Kev, I totally agree with both of you. W...Steve and Kev, I totally agree with both of you. What really hit me from Ron Schick's book and exhibition is how many tiny decisions NR made to caricature, clarify, accentuate and heighten every form. <br /><br />It's really fascinating to make the kind of back and forth comparisons that you guys have shared, and it gave me a tremendous admiration for the strength of NR's vision (not to mention his incredible drawing ability).James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-13443719332199144542009-12-13T12:15:00.905-05:002009-12-13T12:15:00.905-05:00This is a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Funnil...This is a great story. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Funnily enough, my reaction to the photo of the girl was exactly the same as Steve's above... that there is no conception out there about the level of skill and talent it takes to transform photo reference into art. Everything that is good about that girl standing there was added by Rockwell... the subtle but perfect gesture of the figure as a whole, the peeking of the face out from the collar, the particular pattern of folds in her cap, the design of the highlight on the coat and shoes, the back foot and leg, the slight tilted or bowed out expression of the feet, the way Rockwell tucks the sleeve under the doll's arm, the way he subtly softens the outline of the girl's red mitten so it looks more humble or poignant, and the closeness and similarity of the doll's head to the girl's head.<br /><br />So much to appreciate if one is capable of appreciation.kev ferrarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09509572970616136990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-91174952810728961522009-12-13T08:37:02.632-05:002009-12-13T08:37:02.632-05:00Great story.
With all the abuse heaped on NR fo...Great story. <br /><br />With all the abuse heaped on NR for using reference photos, comparing this painting to its reference really shows masterful departures from the photo. The girl's head now has a tentative, upward-looking tilt - a mixture of fear and trust. The doctor's head undergoes a similar shift, looking upward in an expression that blends kindliness with professional attentiveness. In later years, I guess NR was more adept at coaxing these expressions from his models. Still, to have the vision and to execute it is something most of his detractors could never do.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09596875722436085739noreply@blogger.com