Tom Sawyer (Whitewashing the Fence) 1936

This painting by Norman Rockwell is a classic example of Americana. Depicting a scene from the popular novel, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," by Mark Twain, this piece captures the ingenuity of a young boy who finds a way to turn a chore into an adventure. The scene depicts a young boy, Tom Sawyer, painting a fence while another boy, fascinated by his method, watches on. Rockwell's painting captures the innocence of childhood and the simple joys of life. The painting's popularity has led to it being used in numerous contexts, from textbooks to advertisements.