Marriage License (1955; Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States) by Norman Rockwell

Marriage License - Norman Rockwell - 1955; Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States

Artwork Information

TitleMarriage License
ArtistNorman Rockwell
Date1955; Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementRegionalism
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Marriage License

“Marriage License” is a genre painting by Norman Rockwell, created in 1955 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States. This artwork is executed in oil on canvas and is associated with the Regionalism art movement. Rockwell, renowned for his keen observation of American everyday life, encapsulates in this artwork a quintessential moment of human experience. The painting is privately owned and not on a permanent public display.

The artwork portrays a young couple at a clerk’s office, presumably obtaining their marriage license, which is hinted at by the sign above the office door and the narrative context of the scene. The couple is visually centered, leaning together over a desk in a moment of intimate bureaucratic process. Their physical closeness and engagement with the paperwork suggest the gravity and excitement of the occasion. In stark contrast to the youthful couple, there’s an elderly clerk watching them, adding to the narrative by providing a generational counterpoint; his facial expression and relaxed posture may suggest reminiscence or a knowing glance at the couple’s hopeful beginnings.

The setting is rich with detail, from the sunlit window casting warm light through the interior to the stark shadows creating a comfortable ambiance. There are books lining the wall, and in this quiet office space, every object seems to play a role in enhancing the narrative. Even the smallest details, such as the flowers on the windowsill or the solitary cat near the clerk, contribute to the storytelling aspect that Rockwell’s works are famed for. The clothing of the characters and the furnishings of the room capture the essence of the era, anchoring the artwork firmly in the time period it was created. This painting, like much of Rockwell’s work, can be viewed as a snapshot of an era, telling a simple yet profound story of American life.

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