From the Archives is a video series that explores the archives of the Norman Rockwell Museum. In these videos, the NRM Curatorial staff will highlight both archival elements both from Norman Rockwell but also from the Museum’s broader illustration collection. Each episode will focus on a unique theme.
Collections Hunters:
Uncovering the Museum’s Art and Archival Collections
The Red Rose Girls: An alliance for artistic success
During an era when women were expected to get married, raise children, and manage a household, Elizabeth Shippen Green (1871-1954), Jessie Wilcox Smith (1863-1935), and Violet Oakley (1874-1961) chose to pursue careers in the arts. In 1897, these three women enrolled in famed illustrator Howard Pyle’s (1853-1911) class at the School of Illustration at the Drexel Institute, Philadelphia where they formed a bond. The women rook residence at the Red Rose Inn; hence their moniker.
Santa in Illustration
Back in the 1800’s, the image of Santa Claus was not portrayed as the round, jolly, bearded man that we know today. Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, Santa morphed through a variety of different looks. He was initially depicted as a thin elf-like man dressed in green, who was focused on protecting children and sailors. At other times, he appeared skinny and gaunt, with a scraggly beard and, while he may have worn a red coat, he sometimes wore a different colored hat, trimmed in black.
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