Comparison of Norman Rochwell's "The Problem We All Live with" and "Do Unto Others"

This paper compares two of Normal Rockwell’s paintings, showing that while they convey the same message, the approaches used are different and opposite.

Norman Peroevel Rockwell was born in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on February 3, 1894. Not completing high school, Rockwell studied at the National Academy of Design and the Arts Students League of New York. He went on to paint over 4000 illustrations, including 322 covers for the Saturday Evening Post. On November 8, 1978, Normal Rockwell passed away.[i]

Norman Rockwell produced illustrations as opposed to fine art. He still painted with oils on canvas, but his illustrations were done to convey a special message. Many of these where advertisements, calendars and magazine covers. Yet Rockwell’s illustrations, while painted for commercial purposes, where not commercial in nature. He stated many times throughout his life that he painted those things he saw around him and he painted life the way he would like it to be.

The first painting, “The Problem We All Live With”, is oil on canvas and measures 22” x 18”. In the background of the painting there is a tomato-splattered wall. Upon that wall the words “NIGGER” and “KKK” have been painted over, but are still visible. In the foreground is a little black girl. She is dressed entirely in white and being escorted to school by four US marshals. It was first published in Look magazine on January 14, 1964 and has become a well-known painting.[ii]

The second less known painting, “Do Unto Others”, is oil on canvas and measures 20” x 22”. This painting is a relatively simple painting. It has no particular setting. It shows people from all races and religions around the world standing next to one another. Many people are holding their hands in a position of prayer. There is certainly no hidden meaning in his picture. Directly across the lower center of the painting Rockwell wrote, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”...