Facts of Life

Norman Rockwell, artist

1894–1978

Facts of Life, circa 1950

Portfolio/Series title: cover design intended for the Saturday Evening Post

Where object was made: United States

Material/technique: oil; canvas

Dimensions:
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 71 x 66 cm
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 27 15/16 x 26 in

Credit line: Gift of Ben Hibbs, 1923 graduate-Journalism

Accession number: 1950.0010.04

Not on display

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Inventing Childhood

In Facts of Life, Rockwell illustrates an earnest moment between a father and son. With his trademark ability to communicate the honesty of emotion in everyday situations, Rockwell captures the boy’s embarrassment and the man’s sense of urgency as the pet cat slumbers in blissful ignorance. For many Americans, this experience of learning about “the birds and the bees” marks a subtle transition from childhood to adolescence.