The artwork entitled “Facts Of Life” is a creation of the renowned artist Norman Rockwell from the year 1956. Rockwell was well known for his contributions to the Regionalism art movement and the artwork is considered a genre painting, depicting scenes of everyday life with a narrative element.
The artwork captures an intimate and seemingly pivotal moment between two individuals. It features a young boy, seated and looking quite anxious as he clutches his hands near his face. His expression is one of apprehension or discomfort. Before him stands an older man, presumably his father, bending forward with a concerned and earnest expression. The man is gesturing with his hands as if he is in the midst of giving an explanation or having a serious conversation with the young boy. The setting is domestic, marked by a homey ambiance; a comfortable chair and a cat serenely sleeping on a patterned rug enhance the sense of an ordinary family home. The overall tenor of the artwork suggests a ‘coming of age’ moment where the boy is being instructed or informed about significant life matters by the elder, capturing a quintessential experience in the maturation process of a youth within a familial context.