"Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas" Signed by Norman Rockwell, circa 1970s

Presented is a charming, signed print of "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas," by Norman Rockwell. The Christmastime panorama depicts the busy snow-covered town center at dusk with the mountains in the background. The color print is signed by Rockwell in fountain pen, along the lower right margin. The signature reads, "sincerely, Norman Rockwell." 

In 1967, Rockwell completed the famous eight foot long painting of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the town he called his home for the last 25 years of his life. “The painting has come to symbolize Christmas in America, just as he intended... Rockwell takes you on a Christmas Eve walk along Stockbridge's Main Street, past the public library, the antiques and gift shops, the old town office, and down the rambling Victorian hotel, beyond which is Rockwell's own studio” (Norman Rockwell Museum). 

Norman Rockwell is one of the most famous American artists to date. Throughout his career he was an author, painter, and illustrator known for reflecting American small town culture. His most famous works included covers for the Saturday Evening Post, totaling 322 illustrations for the publisher. Rockwell said, “Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.” Throughout his career, Rockwell strove to share the small moments of grace, community, and perseverance during economic depravity, war, and civil unrest. During WWII, Rockwell painted four works collectively titled the “Four Freedoms.” They toured across the U.S. raising more than $130,000 for the war effort and gained exceptional popularity. 

In the last 10 years of his life, Rockwell left the Saturday Evening Post for another magazine, Look. While illustrating for Look, Rockwell’s work focused more on social issues such as the Vietnam war, poverty, and race. In 1977, one year before his death, Norman Rockwell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom honoring him and his art that had “become part of the beloved American tradition.” Rockwell’s nearly 60 year career illustrated both the “heartwarming and heart-wrenching sides of American life in the 20th century.”

CONDITION: 

Near fine condition. Not dated, ca 1970. Paper with uniform block of toning. Color lightly faded. Signed “sincerely, Norman Rockwell” in fountain pen in lower right margin. 

Framed Dimensions: 17 5/8" H x 37 3/4" W x 1" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.