Vacation by Norman Rockwell

July 3, 1920 Issue of The Literary Digest

Vacation, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Literary Digest published July 3, 1920.

The alternate title for this work is Boy Carrying Girls' Books.

The Digest featured Rockwell artwork on the cover nine times total in 1920 alone.

This illustration was Rockwell's sixteenth picture featured on the cover of The Literary Digest.

Starting in 1918 with the first cover, Boy Showing Off Badges to the last, The Night Before Christmas in 1923, The Literary Digest featured Rockwell artwork on its cover a total of forty-seven times.

This painting also appears on page 52 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

The original oil on canvas painting, 20 x 20 inches or 51 x 51 cm, was last reported to be part of the collection of the Royal Palm Gallery,Ltd.

Vacation

One of Norman Rockwell's recurring topical themes was boys and girls and their relationships to that dreaded and loved institution, school. He painted school as more dreaded than loved in his early years. So it follows that summer vacation was a much loved time of the year.

In this classic illustration, Rockwell again visits the theme that, joy of joys, summer vacation has arrived. We all remember that feeling.

Note the broad smiles on both childrens' faces. Note the birds flying happily overhead. Note the blue sky in the background. This is a happy time and a happy painting.

We assume that the two children are a couple of sweethearts. He is carrying her books home for her. He also has a sweetheart look on his face as he gazes toward her.

We do not know why The Literary Digest published this painting in July instead of June. The Digest was fairly far down on Rockwell's list of desired publications. He may have been late submitting to the magazine. Most likely, he started with The Saturday Evening Post and worked his way down his list.

Little Boy Writing Letter	The Novice Skater	The Departing Maid
Boy With Dog in Picnic Basket	Boy Sending Dog Home	Trio in Early Motorcar
Cave of the Winds	Man and Woman Seated Back to Back	Grandfather Frightened by Jack-O-Lantern
Santa and Expense Book

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