Nanny 1936

Norman Rockwell made this scene of domesticity, called Nanny, with paint. The image shows an exhausted caregiver perched behind a screaming toddler. Her hands cradle her tired face, elbows resting on her knees. The painting is a symphony of white, from the woman’s starched uniform to the open space of the page, punctuated by blues and browns that give depth to the narrative. You can see the quick, sure strokes of the brush, especially in the folds of the nanny’s dress, which suggests Rockwell’s confidence in his craft. I feel for the artist, and for the sitter – Rockwell must have empathized with this weary caregiver. What’s fascinating is how he captures a universal moment, the kind that makes you laugh even as you wince. It’s like he’s saying, ‘We’ve all been there,’ which is why Rockwell’s paintings resonate so deeply with so many. Rockwell creates a scene of shared understanding. It invites us to recognize ourselves in the humor and the humanity of everyday life, and that’s the enduring power of painting, isn't it?