Norman Rockwell’s enormous drawing, Study for “The Nightwatchman” (1962) goes on view at the Worcester Art Museum on November 5, 2014. This work, recently acquired by the Higgins Armory Museum, depicts a museum guard having a coffee break at the foot of a knight on horseback. It will be displayed along with Rockwell’s letters about the art commission for the former museum of arms and armor, as well as a WAM painting by the artist, The Wonders of Radio, giving insight into his technique and showcasing the artist’s gift for narrative.
The exhibition, which will be on view through February 8, 2015, is part of the Worcester Art Museum’s Master Series, six small exhibitions and accompanying talks held throughout 2014 and 2015 that encourage audiences to form new perspectives on some of the world’s most celebrated artists. The monthly talks, hosted by the WAM Members Council, delve deeper into examining singular works from WAM’s extensive encyclopedic holdings and significant loans from international institutions.
On Thursday, November 20 at 6 pm the WAM Members Council presents Reflections on Rockwell, a Master Series Third Thursday program, featuring Deborah Solomon, art critic, journalist, and author of American Mirror: The Life and Art of Norman Rockwell. She will provide a close-up look at one of America’s most beloved artists. Solomon’s talk will be followed by live music, light refreshments, and cash bar. The event is free with Museum admission.
The Worcester Art Museum’s Master Series gives an intimate look at one or two works by six signature artists. Exhibited in different galleries throughout the Museum, these displays allow for contemplation and study of some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Other Master Series works include: Portraits of William James and Elizabeth James (1744) by William Hogarth (on view through February 8, 2015); The Small Cowper Madonna (about 1505) by Raphael, on loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, (on view January 24 – September 27, 2015); The Three Musicians and The Stone Operation (about 1624-25) by Rembrandt van Rijn (on view January through August 2015); Fujiwara no Yasumasa Playing the Flute by Moonlight (1882),by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (on view February 28 – May 24, 2015); and Portrait of a Nobleman (1619) by Anthony van Dyck (on view March 14 – October 11, 2015)
“In developing this new programming series, our aim was to prompt visitors to move beyond basic name recognition and form a more holistic perspective on what makes these artists transcend the time in which they lived to become the masters we recognize in our contemporary day and age,” said Jon L. Seydl, WAM director of curatorial affairs and curator of European art.