Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978). The Adventure Trail, 1952. Oil on canvas. 36 x 27 inches (91....

Description

Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
The Adventure Trail, 1952
Oil on canvas
36 x 27 inches (91.4 x 68.6 cm)
Signed lower left: Norman / Rockwell

Property from the BSA Settlement Trust, Sold for the Benefit of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

EXHIBITED:
National Scouting Museum, Murray, Kentucky, n.d.

LITERATURE:
Boy Scouts of America Calendar, Brown & Bigelow Co., Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1952, n.p., illustrated;
Boys' Life Magazine, The Boy Scouts of America, February 1952, cover;
W. Hillcourt, Norman Rockwell's World of Scouting, New York, 1977, p. 137, illustrated;
M. Moline, Norman Rockwell Encyclopedia, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1979, p. 225, fig. 8-34, illustrated;
L.N. Moffatt, Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, Vol. I, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1986, pp. 280-81, no. A72, illustrated;
J. Csatari, Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America, New York, 2009, pp. 60-1, illustrated.

The Adventure Trail finds a young scout returned from the wilderness to the sanctuary of the suburban backyard. In front of an enraptured audience of cubs and pup, he recounts his adventures and presents the treasures he has found. By the badge on his uniform we can see he is a First Class scout, yet the strewn contents of his pack reveal a brief lapse of discipline as he excitedly began his tale.

Norman Rockwell was a master of telling a story with a snapshot. For the young cubs, this green expanse within the high wall of the white picket fence is their great outdoors. It's easy to imagine our scout was in the same spot not too long ago, and this lawn was the wilderness of his imagination. Now though, through the tutelage of his troop, he has seen the real thing and returned with a new purpose. He becomes a teacher to this new crop of scouts, exciting and inspiring, stoking the flame of an adventurous spirit while giving them the tools they'll need on the other side of the fence.

Rockwell couches his parable in light trappings, the sunny backyard or the eager attention of the four-legged audience member, but for him this was a critical project. In 1952, in the aftermath of the Second World War, America was posed for the next generation of leadership. In his long partnership with BSA, Rockwell continually highlighted moments of teaching that strengthen community. The character and skills that are passed down are essential to this mission of preserving democracy for years to come.


More information about Norman Rockwell. See also: Rockwell, Norman, Rockwell, Norman Perceval Artist.

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