The Norman Rockwell Museum and the Norman Rockwell Family have announced the launch of a new series that combines traditional art with emerging technology. The series, titled “Studio Sessions: The Norman Rockwell Collection,” will feature a mix of digital and physical works by the late artist, including never-before-published images and process works from the Norman Rockwell archives.
This marks the first venture into the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for the Rockwell estate. The collection was produced in collaboration with Iconic, a digital platform specializing in assisting traditional art institutions in embracing and experimenting with new technologies. Iconic had previously worked with the Jackson Pollock Studio to release a collection of NFTs on the Ethereum network.
The “Studio Sessions” collection will be available for purchase starting November 1 on Iconic’s website. The specific works that will be included in the collection are being kept a secret until the release date. Collectors will have the option to purchase the NFTs using credit cards or Ethereum, although pricing details have not been disclosed yet.
The proceeds from the sale of the NFTs will go towards supporting the Norman Rockwell Museum’s mission of ensuring public access to Rockwell’s works and nurturing a new generation of illustrators. Additionally, the funds will contribute to the administration of the artist’s work and legacy by the Norman Rockwell Family.
Norman Rockwell, who passed away in 1978, was an American painter renowned for his depictions of everyday scenes in twentieth-century American life and culture. His works gained mass popularity during his lifetime and have continued to receive critical acclaim in later years.
“Studio Sessions” will provide a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to delve into Rockwell’s creative process. The collection will offer glimpses into the thousands of preliminary sketches, photography sessions, drawings, and painted color studies that informed each of Rockwell’s paintings. Each “Session” in the series will focus on a particular celebrated Rockwell painting, and every NFT will be accompanied by a matching, limited-edition, museum-quality print.
Norton Moffatt, director of the Rockwell Museum, expressed the institution’s excitement about entering the world of digital editions. He sees this project as an innovative way to preserve, present, and champion Norman Rockwell and illustration art. Moffatt believes that this venture will further the museum’s commitment to meaningful and artistically rich innovation.
The collaboration between the Rockwell Museum, the Rockwell Family, and Iconic promises to bring together the traditional and the digital in a way that honors the artist’s legacy while embracing new artistic possibilities. The “Studio Sessions” collection opens up a new chapter in the art world’s exploration of NFTs and how they can expand access to and appreciation of art.
