- More
Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978). Norman Rockwell Visits a County Agent in Jay, Indiana, The Saturday Evening Pos...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
$80,625 or more
View Recent Offers on Sold Items in this category
Description
Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)Norman Rockwell Visits a County Agent in Jay, Indiana, The Saturday Evening Post, July 24, 1948
Watercolor and gouache on paper
9-1/2 x 12-3/4 inches (24.1 x 32.4 cm) (sheet)
Initialed lower right: NR
PROVENANCE:
The artist;
Private collection, Stockbridge, New York, gift from the above, 1961.
One of the professions that Norman Rockwell profiled in his over 1,000 illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post was that of the county agricultural agent, a "uniquely American institution." For a four-page article in the July 24, 1948 Post, Rockwell shadowed County Agent Herald Rippey of Jay, Indiana, chronicling in ten illustrations his eclectic job activities: laying out a terrace line for soil conservation, culling hens, lecturing to the Rotarians about the fiscal ties between the city and the farm, testing recipes prepared by the Home Economics Club, meeting with specialists from Purdue University on plant research, and examining the Guernsey calf of a fourteen-year-old 4-H Club member.
This illustration from the cover page of the article shows Rippey engaged in an especially important task, analyzing the soil of a farm to be used in fertilizer experiments. Rockwell underscores Rippey's weathered face and hands in the wrinkles of his pants and shirt, and he makes him "at one with the earth" by rendering him in grey-brown tones, squatting close to the ground. The article further elaborates on Rippey's heroic nature:
"'An agent has to be all man,' Rockwell told us. 'He's a farm expert, educator, organizer, diplomat and trouble shooter' . . . .
"No one county agent is exactly 'typical,' but Herald Rippey is an authentic sample of the 3000 who serve the rural United States. He is forty-four - about average. Like most, he grew up on a farm and studied agriculture in college; he has a degree from Purdue University. He is handsomer than the general run, county agents or otherwise. His salary, somewhat more than the average of $3900 a year, comes jointly from the United States Department of Agriculture, Jay County, and Purdue's Agricultural Extension Department. . . .
"The county agent carries a heavier, more complex load these days. Last year Rippey drove 20,000 miles, visited more than 800 farms, gave advice to more than 3800 farmers who came to his office, and attended 369 meetings, as many as three in one evening.
"His one wish is for more time for his family and for fishing and hunting. But when Mrs. Rippey once suggested that he find a job with more pay and less arduous hours, he replied, 'Sure, I'll change -- if you can name one where I'll be as well satisfied.' The subject hasn't come up since" (The Saturday Evening Post, "Norman Rockwell Visits a County Agent," July 24, 1948, pp. 30-33).
More information about Norman Rockwell, also known as Rockwell, Norman, Norman Rockwell, Rockwell, Norman Perceval.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $100,000 (minimum $14), plus 20% of any amount between $100,000 and $1,000,000, plus 12% of any amount over $1,000,000 per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)US Coins
Ends on 02/25/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/26/2021
Historical
Ends on 02/27/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/27/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 02/28/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/28/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/03/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 03/05/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/08/2021
Photography
Ends on 03/10/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 03/12/2021
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 03/12/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/13/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/15/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/16/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/17/2021
Nature & Science
Ends on 03/19/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/22/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 03/04/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/01/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/08/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/25/2021
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/05/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/12/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/07/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/08/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/17/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/08/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/24/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/19/2021
Musical Instruments
Opens about 03/23/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/24/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/26/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/16/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/26/2021
Historical
Opens about 03/29/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/21/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/31/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/01/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/28/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
Ms. Sullivan proved knowledgeable, diligent and efficient in selecting items viable for the American Indian & Pre-Columbian Art AuctionView More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search