Norman Rockwell The New Tavern Sign Signed Lithograph in Colors on Paper

An illustrative lithograph in colors on paper titled “The New Tavern Sign” by American artist Norman Rockwell. Hand signed in pencil on the lower right with an annotation of 168/200 on the lower left. Printed and published by Eleanor Ettinger Inc., New York, 1978. Originally created for the February 22, 1936 edition of the Saturday Evening Post. This title is especially memorable because it depicts one of Rockwell's kindred spirits from the past - the colonial sign painter. This was the second time Rockwell painted a colonial sign painter for the Saturday Evening Post, however the difference this time is that he included inquisitive townspeople looking on while he painted. The onlookers, most likely analyzing and commenting on his every brushstroke, are the larger focus of this work. There is a simplistic nostalgic quality to the artworks of Norman Rockwell. Posthumous Rockwell artworks are frequent in the open market, but this is a unique opportunity to own an iconic Rockwell lithograph printed in the artist’s lifetime and signed by the artist. From a private collection. Dimensions: 26.5”h x 40”w (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 2013–2014.