The artwork titled “Rush” is a creation of Norman Rockwell, a renowned artist known for his illustrative depictions of American culture. Completed in the year 1925, this piece is reflective of the Regionalism art movement and can be categorized within the genre painting discipline. It is characteristic of Rockwell’s work, which often portrayed everyday scenes and narratives with a mix of humor and pathos.
In “Rush,” we are presented with the image of a seemingly exhausted railway mail clerk asleep on the job. He is slumped over a canvas mailbag that is boldly labeled with the word “RUSH,” adding a touch of irony to the scene. The clerk’s attire includes a dark cap, which sits askew on his head, and his uniform reflects the wear and tear of his labors. His face is shown with stubble, suggesting fatigue and a long duration of work without respite. In his hand, he gently holds a red polka-dotted necktie, perhaps removed for comfort or in preparation for rest.
The background includes elements that offer context to the artwork. Among these items, there are envelopes and documents, some of which are stamped with the words “Do Not Delay.” This suggests the urgency and importance of the clerk’s duty to process mail quickly. Featured prominently alongside the clerk is a white rooster, perching on the edge of a suitcase, which further contributes to the storytelling of the artwork—the bird typically being a symbol of the dawn or a new day, and possibly hinting at the early hours during which this scene takes place.
The juxtaposition of the urgency conveyed by the mailbag and envelopes with the slumbering figure of the clerk creates an amusing contrast that is typical of Rockwell’s narrative style. The artwork exudes a charming quality that brings the viewer into a moment of narrative pause, reflecting on the universal human experience of exhaustion in contrast with the demands of duty and work.