Norman Rockwell Museum and The Art of MAD Magazine
5mo
I had the chance to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA this week. Not only have I been dying to visit this Museum to see the main Rockwell exhibition, but they currently have a special exhibition celebrating the art and humor of MAD Magazine illustrators which included four entire galleries packed with originals from “The Usual Gang of Idiots” such as Jack Davis, Mort Drucker, Norman Mingo, Don Martin, Duck Edwing, Sam Viviano, Al Jaffee, Sergio Aragonés, and others.
There was an incredible collection of Rockwell’s work on display, in addition to the main galleries we had the opportunity to tour Rockwell’s fastidiously kept studio where he painted for the last 21 years of his career.
The MAD exhibit exceeded expectations. I was unaware that Rockwell was commissioned to paint a “definitive” portrait of Alfred E. Newman but politely declined in his own humorous way. More on that in the link.
Seeing these pieces in person was an incredible experience. I didn’t take as many photos as I now wish I had, but here are a few highlights from both exhibits as well as a link to the gallery documentary about the MAD Magazine exhibit and it's connection to Rockwell.
https://youtu.be/IUbYa5eTHOY?si=qjwwVZk0E_HefTax
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5mo
A few highlights from the Rockwell exhibit. Seeing the charcoal comps next to the finished pieces was amazing. Loved seeing the globs of impasto used on The Critic's palette and some of the various changes he made to illustrations in the process, such as seeing the original jawline under the chin of the third child in "No Swimming" before he decided to add some weight to the silhouette.
I heard they had a Mad Magazine exhibit at the museum. I'm glad you made it out there, we're able to bask in all the great art and report back.Thanks for sharing!
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5mo
Wow, these are great! I bet seeing the brush strokes up close was something else.
