What People are Saying About Norman Rockwell and the Museum

"Norman Rockwell is so unique in his vision of the American way of life that there should be a wide berth for him to always exist for all of us who love his images and look for inspiration from them. Stockbridge, Rockwell's home, really has not changed. What better setting for a Rockwell museum than his own hometown."
—Steven Spielberg, as told to Life Magazine

"If we lose what it is that Rockwell's art stood for, then we have lost something very basic to what it means to be an American."
—Robert A.M. Stern, architect

"…As an American he (Rockwell) painted a society grounded not in the wisdom of its elders but in the promise of its youth… In the history of art, Rockwell was the last, best practitioner of a tradition of social painting that began in the 17th century. In the history of America's democracy and popular culture, he was the first and maybe the last visual artist who aspired to charm us all, and for nearly half a century he managed to do it."
—Dave Hickey, art critic

"There is a remarkable sort of intensity that he brought to American life that you know nobody else has done."
—Jamie Wyeth, artist

"I showed some of the [Rockwell] images to my little 5-year-old, and you know what she loves? She loves Girl at Mirror. The fact that this painting can resonate with her at such an early age is just amazing."
—Anne Knutson, curator, Atlanta High Museum of Art

"He [Rockwell] kind of created a mythical wonderful land of childhood, innocence and exuberance."
—Karal Ann Marling, art historian

"The Norman Rockwell Museum is the premier institution in this country devoted to the art of illustration. The quality of the staff at the Museum is second to none. It's very rare to find people who are so knowledgeable about what they do, who are so skilled at what they do, and are so enthusiastic about what they do. It’s really a special place."
—David Leopold, independent curator