A stunning full-size reproduction of Norman Rockwell’s iconic Laurel & Hardy Plumbers.
[Laurel and Hardy ‘The Plumbers’]
$2,800
1 in stock
Description
This stunning canvas represents one of the most iconic images by one of the most celebrated American artists of the 20th century. It is a faithful copy of one of Norman Rockwell’s most famous humoristic compositions. The original image was conceived for the popular magazine The Saturday Evening Post, which featured it on the front cover on June 2, 1951. As with many of Rockwell’s works, this motif is well-known and beloved.
Rockwell had a knack for portraying the working man, often in dignified or humorous situations. This particular scene falls into the latter category, depicting two Laurel-and-Hardy-like plumbers playfully experimenting with the perfumes on their patron’s dressing table. In the lower right corner, the lady’s lapdog gazes at the mischievous workmen with a mix of anxiety and fascination.
Norman Rockwell’s compositions had a unique ability to capture the hearts of ordinary Americans. While purely imaginative, this scene feels as though it were lifted directly from the everyday life of an average person. Readers of The Saturday Evening Post eagerly anticipated Rockwell’s evocative covers, which celebrated relatable moments and experiences. His talent for conceptualizing life’s hilarious or poignant episodes in a simple yet universally understandable way—and then rendering them with almost magical realism—was one of Rockwell’s greatest gifts.
Census
The painting is signed “N.R.,” which was not Rockwell’s most common signature style, though there are known examples of him using this format. The canvas was originally mounted on a frame approximately 1 meter by 1 meter, corresponding exactly to the dimensions of an authenticated version of this painting, which sold for an impressive $15 million at Sotheby’s in 2017 (Sotheby’s auction reference).
Cartographer(s):
Norman Rockwell was a pivotal American painter and illustrator whose work profoundly shaped the visual culture of 20th-century America. Best known for his vivid and relatable depictions of everyday life, Rockwell created over 320 covers for The Saturday Evening Post over nearly five decades. His realistic style and keen storytelling ability made him a beloved chronicler of American life, seamlessly blending humor, warmth, and cultural commentary.
Beyond magazine covers, Rockwell tackled deeper themes in works such as The Four Freedoms, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union address. This series, illustrating the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear, became iconic during World War II as part of a war bond campaign. These paintings resonated deeply with the American public, embodying the spirit and values of the time.
While Rockwell’s work was sometimes dismissed by critics as overly sentimental, his meticulous technique and unmatched storytelling have earned him enduring respect and admiration. His art not only influenced public perceptions of American ideals but also blurred the lines between commercial illustration and fine art. Today, his legacy endures, as his work continues to evoke nostalgia for a simpler, more unified vision of America, while also inviting reflection on the nation’s complex history and identity.
Condition Description
Very good. Canvas is new.
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