Freedom of the Press; Poor Richard’s Almanac c. 1930

Norman Rockwell gave us this image of Benjamin Franklin with a colleague, in oils, and it's like stepping back in time. The colors are muted, mostly browns and tans, which gives it a vintage feel, like an old photograph. You can almost smell the ink and paper! The way Rockwell built up the paint, especially in Franklin's lace cuffs, is fascinating. It's thick and textured, almost like he was sculpting the fabric. And look at the way the light catches the paper in Franklin's hands; it's so delicate and thin compared to the heavier brushstrokes elsewhere. That contrast is really nice. Rockwell makes me think of other realists like Edward Hopper, who also captured everyday American life with such detail and care. This painting feels like a snapshot of a moment in history, but it also speaks to the timeless importance of free expression.