Norman Rockwell (February 03, 1894-November 08, 1978) was one of Americas most creative and admired illustrators. His name was synonymous with The Saturday Evening Post (also known as The Post), as he created more than 300 images for their covers. Rockwell’s real claim to fame was a series of illustrations he made, based on a fictional private character of an ‘everyman.’ This fictional character was called «Willie Gillis,» and Rockwell created it during the World War II. With Robert Otis «Bob» Buck, an officer later in the US Navy, as the model, he can be described as an average young American thrown into the disarray of war. The eleven cover illustrations of Gillis published in The Post were:
o Food Package (October 4, 1941)
o Home On Leave (November 29,1941)
o USO (February 7,1942 )
o On K.P (April 11, 1942)
o What to do in a blackout(June 27, 1942)
o In Church (July 25, 1942)
o Girls with Letters (September 5,1942)
o Willie’s Rope Trick (June 26, 1943)
o New Years Eve (January 1,1944)
o Gillis Heritage (September 16, 1944)
o In College (October 5, 1946)
These Norman’s illustrations tracked Willie’s life in the military from his initiation to his release. The very first image «Willie Gillis Food Package» showed him holding a care package labeled ‘Food.’ He is looking hesitantly over his shoulder, while a dozen high ranked officers are starring at the package with anticipation. There was one, which showed » Home on Leave.» He is shown lying on the bed of an untidy room, while another one portrayed him as a dutiful son carrying on the family tradition by serving in the army. Your heart goes out to «Willie in Church,» in which he is shown sitting in the church in his uniform, with a lost expression. A popular cover from the series «Willie Gillis USO» shows a very amused Willie being served donuts and cookies by two young dutiful USO workers. Perhaps the most humorous of the series was «Willie Gillis Girls with Letters,» where two young women are fighting over his photos, which he probably sent from the war. The last illustration «Willie Gillis in College» gave the series a kind of happy conclusion. It showed the post war Gillis dressed in smart casual clothes smoking a pipe and sprawled next to a window reading a book. His expression is relaxed and he seemed happy in that pleasant environment.
Rockwell had a flair for storytelling on canvas and liked to paint the softer side of life. His unique, yet a simple portrayal of innocent «Willie Gillis» reacting to everyday scenarios, won the affection of the American public. Many Americans thought Willie was a real person and were always curious to know more about his life. Norman made one painting of «Willie Gillis,» which was not meant for cover. It was called «Willie Gillis in the Convoy.» It depicted him in the back of a military truck with a rifle in his hand. Rockwell donated this painting to the Gardner High School.
Camisetas Irlanda del Norte:Camisetas de Fútbol de Equipos Nacionales e Internacionales Chaussures, Maillots, Shorts, Survêtements, Ballons, Accessoires.