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Despite his recognition today, Rockwell was not always viewed as a master
artist. Many people, including colleague artists scorned Rockwell�s work,
claiming him to be a �mere illustrator�. They perceived him as a dim-witted man,
who would not be able to distinguish between good art and true talent if his
life depended on it. In the early 20th century, Rockwell�s work was damned, as
was most commercial art.
Today, as experts take a second look at Rockwell�s work, they have come to
realize that Rockwell was a genius. People have come to appreciate his style and
recognize Rockwell�s portrayal of society and the times. A New York Times art
critic said: �Rockwell is terrific. It�s become too tedious to pretend that he
isn�t�.
His artwork is now recognized was both unique and unparalleled by any
illustrator of the past. When Rockwell began painting, it was the
�Pre-Raphaelites�, an era which created sentimental images while attempting to
address moral values. Rockwell, on the other hand, created his own unique style,
painting things as they appeared in everyday life. The difference between
Rockwell�s style and that of other artists contributed to opposition of his
work. Yet Rockwell was a �visual storyteller�, and his style remained constant
throughout his career. From Cubism, to Fauvism, to the Bauhaus movement, to
Dadaism, to Surrealism, to Abstract Impressionism, to the times of Pop Art,
Rockwell�s style remained untouched.
His constant techniques were not a result of being unaware of changes in the
field of art, but rather his inability to find success with them. Rockwell�s
simplistic methods earned him more success as an illustrator, and his
storytelling technique was much better relayed through his own style. |
