Norman Rockwell’s subject was average America. He painted it with such benevolent affection for so many years, that a truly remarkable history of the 20th century has been compiled. Most of Norman Rockwell’s iconic paintings were inspired by photographs. Prior to beginning a painting, Mr. Rockwell would first plan out the scene to be photographed, often inviting family and neighbors to help act out his vision. It was then from a photograph, or a series of photographs, that Mr. Rockwell would begin painting:
![The Runaway.</p><p>Oil painting for Post cover, September 1958. Norman Rockwell](http://encyclopediahomeschoolica.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/the-runaway-painting.jpg?w=590&h=626)
The Runaway. Oil painting for Post cover, September 1958.
![Norman Rockwell](http://encyclopediahomeschoolica.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/girl-at-mirror-norman-rockwell-1954.jpg?w=590&h=615)
Girl At The Mirror. Oil painting for Post cover, March 1954
![norman rockwell](http://encyclopediahomeschoolica.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/norman-rockwell-six.jpg?w=590&h=624)
After The Prom. Oil painting for Post cover, May 1957.
![norman rockwell](http://encyclopediahomeschoolica.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/norman-rockwell-two.jpg?w=590)
The Tatooist. Painting for Post cover, March 1944.
Browse the Norman Rockwell Collection (both paintings and photographs) online at the Norman Rockwell Museum.