Norman Rockwell "The Collector"

I think it’s wonderful!

 

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lol

 

@Phil Ham I think your Rockwell is outstanding! Congrats on a fabulous icon of American classics to adorn your collecting space. May you enjoy it for many many years.

For the record, I love the desk lamp illuminating his collection. What a wonderful piece.

 

Wait a minute, Phil . . . you have a coin room?!

 

Well, now you've sent me off Googling, and I found this link for a study (prototype) for the painting -- an interesting comparison.

I was hoping to see what type of coin he'd pictured, but the painting isn't that finely detailed. Each coin is just a swirl of grays.

 

Great link!

The Franklin Mint ad prototype and the print in the OP were done circa 1971 from your information. I believe that Rockwell was using himself as the subject for the elderly gentleman in the painting.

Take a look at his "self portrait" below created eleven years earlier in 1960.

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Now add eleven years to the image above, and I believe you will have a clue as to who "The Collector" was patterned after.

Notice the same type of glasses, same style of pipe, very similar proboscis features, add a decade more wrinkles and a lot more gray in the hair.

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I think you are looking at yet another of Rockwell's "self portraits" . . . . .

Z

 

Could well be. I have enough trouble recognizing photos of my own family members.

 

Very nice! Was Rockwell a coin collector?

 

7 such portaits for sale up on ebay at the moment. Thanks for sharing this. Lovely painting!

 

Poor woman whipped soul, haven't you?

 

Come to think of it, there's a fellow on these boards who has that painting as his avatar.........never thunk it such. Just thought it was him and his Dad......

 

Of course I have a coin room, doesn't everyone?

 

Rub it in, Mr. High Roller!

All I have is a lousy coin closet, and even that I have to share with photo albums and office supplies.