I respect his contributions to the game and I know this is a thermonuclear take but I fuckin hate Norman Rockwell’s art. The art style. The subjects he painted. Their facial expressions. The soup. Just not at all a fan of his whole deal.
I have a similar reaction, but I find it hard to explain what it is about this picture that puts me off. I think part of it is the mismatch between the highly detailed painting and the cartoony pose and expression of the girl. The way people captioned it in this comment section also reminded me of a cartoon. “You should see the other guy”, sure, but if that captures the entire painting (and I think it does), why put so much effort into it? A simpler style could have conveyed the same message. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t think all realistic paintings are a waste of effort, but this painting isn’t realistic, it’s just detailed.
It would cost you nothing to walk away and keep it yourself. There are plenty that think it’s brilliant. Nevermind extremely difficult to be this good at illustration.
It also cost me nothing to share my subjective opinion of an artist’s work in a respectful way, in a forum conveniently designed for discussion of this exact artist.
I don’t disagree that anyone should be able to voice their opinions here, even if it is to express distaste. But let’s not pretend you were doing that respectfully.
I sort of understand where they’re coming from. In a similar fashion, I can’t stand the kid on the cover of MAD magazine. The best way to describe it is a sense of ancient queasiness but even that doesn’t accurately describe my discomfort, not to mention why. The facial expressions in the OP also give me that vibe, but to a much smaller degree.
*But that vibe is still there, such that I would never hang up a piece by Norman Rockwell anywhere in my home.
Hey, I know exactly what you’re talking about with the Mad Magazine kid. I’ve never liked that character. He’s always struck me as weird in an uncomfortable and creepy way. Like he’s stupid and perverted or something. I can’t really explain it, but I know how it makes me feel.
It’s the uncanny valley effect, isn’t it? Like, almost everything in Rockwell’s paintings is photorealistic but the facial expressions are slightly too caricatural, too exaggerated too be real. Human faces don’t quite work the way he paints them. On one hand, those faces convey an emotion instantly On the other hand, it’s an inauthentic emotion, theatrical, even dumbed-down - all ambiguity removed and subtlety forgotten. The girl is Proud, the woman is Concerned, the principal is Reflecting.
I think adults can and should disagree on things and feel free to voice opinions - especially if done as civilly as this. Not “this sucks” but just “it’s not too my taste”.
I respect his contributions to the game and I know this is a thermonuclear take but I fuckin hate Norman Rockwell’s art. The art style. The subjects he painted. Their facial expressions. The soup. Just not at all a fan of his whole deal.
No shade at OP for sharing this, though 🙏
I have a similar reaction, but I find it hard to explain what it is about this picture that puts me off. I think part of it is the mismatch between the highly detailed painting and the cartoony pose and expression of the girl. The way people captioned it in this comment section also reminded me of a cartoon. “You should see the other guy”, sure, but if that captures the entire painting (and I think it does), why put so much effort into it? A simpler style could have conveyed the same message. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t think all realistic paintings are a waste of effort, but this painting isn’t realistic, it’s just detailed.
It would cost you nothing to walk away and keep it yourself. There are plenty that think it’s brilliant. Nevermind extremely difficult to be this good at illustration.
It also cost me nothing to share my subjective opinion of an artist’s work in a respectful way, in a forum conveniently designed for discussion of this exact artist.
I don’t disagree that anyone should be able to voice their opinions here, even if it is to express distaste. But let’s not pretend you were doing that respectfully.
Sure, yeah, I can agree with that.
It also cost me nothing to give a shit about a crap take that doesn’t like good skill.
I apologize for upsetting you, I didn’t mean anything personally insulting to you. Hope you have a good day 🙏
Counterpoint, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like Norman Rockwell, so I’m interested in hearing their perspective.
I sort of understand where they’re coming from. In a similar fashion, I can’t stand the kid on the cover of MAD magazine. The best way to describe it is a sense of ancient queasiness but even that doesn’t accurately describe my discomfort, not to mention why. The facial expressions in the OP also give me that vibe, but to a much smaller degree.
*But that vibe is still there, such that I would never hang up a piece by Norman Rockwell anywhere in my home.
Hey, I know exactly what you’re talking about with the Mad Magazine kid. I’ve never liked that character. He’s always struck me as weird in an uncomfortable and creepy way. Like he’s stupid and perverted or something. I can’t really explain it, but I know how it makes me feel.
Yes! The Mad Magazine kid has the exact same quality that puts me off of Norman Rockwell’s style.
It’s the uncanny valley effect, isn’t it? Like, almost everything in Rockwell’s paintings is photorealistic but the facial expressions are slightly too caricatural, too exaggerated too be real. Human faces don’t quite work the way he paints them. On one hand, those faces convey an emotion instantly On the other hand, it’s an inauthentic emotion, theatrical, even dumbed-down - all ambiguity removed and subtlety forgotten. The girl is Proud, the woman is Concerned, the principal is Reflecting.
I think adults can and should disagree on things and feel free to voice opinions - especially if done as civilly as this. Not “this sucks” but just “it’s not too my taste”.