Outstanding essay! I had no idea about Rockwell’s history, conversion, and his later works. Your breakdown of the Ruby Bridges painting was like attending an art appreciation class. I’d watch a biopic on him, though knowing WHY he had this seemingly sudden conversion would be of great interest to me.
Cole, I grew up with a coffee table book of Rockwell’s art in “Puritan” New England. Massachusetts has a patriotic vibe that can be both liberal and conservative at the same time and also elitist. It’s the only place in America where I don’t feel my pulse quicken when I see an American flag because it always felt like a genuine love or pride without the connotations it holds today. I did not recognize or receive the white culture messages growing up from Rockwell’s art but glad we had the image of all races as part of the coffee table book. Subliminal, maybe but it didn’t stick. In the same era of the 80s I didn’t recognize misogynistic behavior either. Jeez, I feel like I’m writing an essay here! Haha
In summary, I think it’s an important story to be told and hope it gets picked up.
Thanks, Shelley. I don't think most of us notice a lot when we're younger. Even young adults. We might sense it, but we don't know how to articulate it.
Well written and well thought out. I better understand the gut punch I feel when I view this painting, Rockwell having placed us in the position of those hurling racial epithets at a child. And yet, the naive courage of the young girl remains the most potent thing I carry away from the viewing.
I think there are a lot of ways to emotional experience this painting, but even what you describe, I'd suggest that effect is so potent because you're in the position of the assaliant. She's that courageous in the face of *your* hate.
Another important and insightful piece from Cole, and very timely. I can’t help thinking of this small girl, just six years old, being escorted to school by marshalls on the very day I reached my first birthday, on the other side of the world in Africa, in a country where white supremacists were already gearing up to take over from the British and had already stacked every branch and lowly office of government they could in order to achieve their goals. Little Ruby Bridges, breaking down walls, just as more were being built elsewhere.
Still want to see the cinematic version you wrote on this...
So do I...so do I...
Outstanding essay! I had no idea about Rockwell’s history, conversion, and his later works. Your breakdown of the Ruby Bridges painting was like attending an art appreciation class. I’d watch a biopic on him, though knowing WHY he had this seemingly sudden conversion would be of great interest to me.
I've been working on this project for years. Hollywood is in a crisis point, though, so it's run into several obstacles. Fingers crossed.
That would be so good to see, Cole!
Cole, I grew up with a coffee table book of Rockwell’s art in “Puritan” New England. Massachusetts has a patriotic vibe that can be both liberal and conservative at the same time and also elitist. It’s the only place in America where I don’t feel my pulse quicken when I see an American flag because it always felt like a genuine love or pride without the connotations it holds today. I did not recognize or receive the white culture messages growing up from Rockwell’s art but glad we had the image of all races as part of the coffee table book. Subliminal, maybe but it didn’t stick. In the same era of the 80s I didn’t recognize misogynistic behavior either. Jeez, I feel like I’m writing an essay here! Haha
In summary, I think it’s an important story to be told and hope it gets picked up.
Thanks, Shelley. I don't think most of us notice a lot when we're younger. Even young adults. We might sense it, but we don't know how to articulate it.
Agree!
Well written and well thought out. I better understand the gut punch I feel when I view this painting, Rockwell having placed us in the position of those hurling racial epithets at a child. And yet, the naive courage of the young girl remains the most potent thing I carry away from the viewing.
I think there are a lot of ways to emotional experience this painting, but even what you describe, I'd suggest that effect is so potent because you're in the position of the assaliant. She's that courageous in the face of *your* hate.
I wish I could have known this before I saw a showing of his work at the Brooklyn Art Museum years ago. Thanks
You're welcome. I'm glad you took anything from the read.
Another important and insightful piece from Cole, and very timely. I can’t help thinking of this small girl, just six years old, being escorted to school by marshalls on the very day I reached my first birthday, on the other side of the world in Africa, in a country where white supremacists were already gearing up to take over from the British and had already stacked every branch and lowly office of government they could in order to achieve their goals. Little Ruby Bridges, breaking down walls, just as more were being built elsewhere.
Yep. They keep putting up the walls so we can keep knocking them down. So much effort, so many ruined lives.
I truly do despair of the human race sometimes. Such potential! And yet we waste it on creating such meaningless tat, and such vicious behaviour.
Excellent article. I didn’t know this painting. Your story of how this came about illuminates the time and the man.
Thanks for reading, Andrew!
Excellent piece Cole. Thanks for this connection to the year of my birth.
Thanks, John - and thanks for reading!