An illustrative lithograph in colors on paper titled âFootball, from the Sports Portfolioâ by American artist Norman Rockwell. Hand signed in pencil on the lower right with an Artistâs Proof annotation on the lower left. Printed and published by Eleanor Ettinger Inc., New York, 1977. Original painting was titled âFirst Down (Four Sporting Boys: Football)â and created for Brown & Bigelow Four Seasons calendar illustration, Autumn 1951. The composition is an energetic depiction of boyhood as they gather to play the game of football. There is a simplistic nostalgic quality to the artworks of Norman Rockwell and a glimpse into the life of post-war America. Posthumous Rockwell artworks are frequent in the open market, but this is a unique opportunity to own an iconic Rockwell lithograph printed in the artistâs lifetime and signed by the artist. From a private collection. Dimensions: 26.75âh x 24âw (matted, unframed). In very good vintage condition. Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was an American painter and illustrator. His works have a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of the country's culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over nearly five decades. Rockwell's work was exhibited at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in 2001 Rockwell's Breaking Home Ties sold for $15.4 million at a 2006 Sotheby's auction. A 12-city U.S. tour of Rockwell's works took place in 2008. In 2008, Rockwell was named the official state artist of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The 2013 sale of Saying Grace for $46 million (including buyer's premium) established a new record price for Rockwell. Rockwell's work was exhibited at the Reading Public Museum and the Church History Museum in 2013â2014.
