Going and Coming (1947) by Norman Rockwell

Going and Coming - Norman Rockwell - 1947

Artwork Information

TitleGoing and Coming
ArtistNorman Rockwell
Date1947
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementRegionalism

About Going and Coming

“Going and Coming” is a notable artwork by Norman Rockwell, created in 1947. The medium used for this piece is oil on canvas, and it is categorized within the art movement known as Regionalism. The genre of the painting is genre painting, which typically depicts scenes from everyday life.

The artwork presents the engaging view of passengers inside a vehicle, presumably a family, through the windows of a station wagon. The composition is rich with detail and character, exemplifying Rockwell’s ability to capture the American spirit with both warmth and humor. The left side of the painting illustrates a collection of weary or sleeping individuals, with an elderly woman’s eyes closed in rest, a young boy slumped against her, and a young girl blowing a bubble gum with a dog beside her, all suggesting the exhaustion of a journey.

On the right side, we observe a varied range of expressions from different family members: a boy looking eagerly out the window, possibly indicating an anticipation of arrival; an older woman holding a sleeping child in her lap, representing care and comfort; and a man driving, focused intently on the road ahead.

Rockwell’s use of color and light contributes to a vivid and relatable scene, making the mundane moment both remarkable and intimate. The painting tells a story of travel, capturing both the fatigue of departure and the vitality of return, reflecting typical human experiences that are universally resonant. It emphasizes a sense of community and shared experience, hallmarks of the Regionalism movement in art, which sought to present realistic depictions of rural and small-town America.

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