Norman Rockwell: American Imagist

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND — The National Museum of American Illustration presents Norman Rockwell: American Imagist, the first Norman Rockwell exhibition ever to be shown in Rhode Island. The remarkable collection of selected art - including more than 60 original paintings, drawings and studies – spans six decades of the artist’s career.

Norman Rockwell’s heartwarming depictions of  everyday life made him the best-known and most beloved American artist of the 20th century. The exhibit asserts Norman Rockwell as a great American artist and illustrator, whose real and most enduring subject matter was capturing the American spirit. His images often served as a mirror of American life. It has been said that a Rockwell painting does not require an explanation, a caption or even a title. It speaks to us directly.

“I think (visitors are) going to have a greater understanding and appreciation of who Norman Rockwell was in his artistic career, certainly, and then within the context of American history,” said Judy Goffman Cutler, founded the museum in 1998 with her husband, Laurence Cutler, to house their illustration art collection.

Norman Rockwell: American Imagist is currently on display through August 30, 2009.

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Related Links:

• For more information on the exhibit, visit www.americanillustration.org
• Read Experiencing Rockwell - an essay by Park West Gallery’s Director, Morris Shapiro
• Learn more about the artist Norman Rockwell

Rare Salvador Dali Portrait of His Wife Gala Goes On Display

FIGUERES, SPAIN — Antoni Pitxot, director of the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres, and Montse Aguer, director of the Centre for Dalinian Studies, have presented the latest acquisition made by the Dalí Foundation: an oil titled Gala. This painting could be the first portrait of Salvador Dali’s wife and it may be viewed starting today in a montage designed specially for this exhibition by Pep Canaleta.

When, in 1929, Dalí met Gala Éluard, a strong impression was provoked, so intense that from that point on he would never be separated from her – until the death of Gala in June of 1982.

The painter made - from a photographic portrait of Gala - a detailed portrait with collage, full of details. Starting from the smoke of a cigarette, he integrates the iconography of this moment, repeated often in the paintings made between 1929 and 1931 - the lobster, the bird, the figure of the great masturbator, the shells, the squirrel, the ants… – all accompany Gala with long hair; Gala, the ideal woman. A Gala that stares at us with clear sight. A delicately executed portrait and due to its small size, a small jewel.

Read the full article at ArtDaily.com >>

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Related Links:

• The Figueres Dalí Theatre-Museum www.salvador-dali.org
• To learn more about Salvador Dali, visit Park West Gallery’s new website dedicated to the master dali.parkwestgallery.com

Artist Birthdays, July 29: ROBERT REID, EASTMAN JOHNSON

ROBERT REID (July 29, 1862 – December 2, 1929)

• Nationality: American
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Impressionism
• ARTiFact: His murals adorn the North Corridor of The Library of Congress - four circular panels on the north wall entitled Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Philosophy, and octagonal paintings in the ceiling vault representing The Five Senses.
• Important Artwork (shown below): The Violet Kimono, 1910.

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EASTMAN JOHNSON (July 29, 1824 – April 5, 1906)

• Nationality: American
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Realism, Genre Painting
• ARTiFact: His artwork was so influenced by the naturalistic style of the Dutch masters that he was known in his day as “The American Rembrandt.”
• Artist Quote: “I have been for some time past in a state of such lassitude that I do nothing whatever that I am not obliged to, and avoid every physical and especially mental effort that is possible.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Negro Life at the South, 1859.

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Related Links:

• Learn more about Robert Reid at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Learn more about Eastman Johnson at The San Diego Museum of Art
• Discover your favorite artists at Park West Gallery bio.parkwestgallery.com