The discovery 1956

Norman Rockwell made *The Discovery* in 1956, and it's painted with a delicate realism that makes you feel like you're stepping right into the scene. He uses a warm, muted palette – lots of browns and soft greens – which gives the painting a cozy, intimate feeling. Artmaking is all about process, and here, Rockwell meticulously builds up the scene with careful layers. Look at the dresser, how the light catches the wood grain. The paint is applied in thin, transparent layers, creating a luminous surface. The contrast with the impasto on the faux fur trim on the Santa outfit, which appears almost sculpted. It’s in these details that the emotional heart of the painting lies: the surprise of the kid discovering that this isn't magic. Rockwell shares a certain illustrative approach with other painters such as Fairfield Porter, in that they have both been criticized for being overly literal and narrative focused. What are our paintings other than just elaborate set ups?