An extraordinarily gifted illustrator, Norman Rockwell (American, 1894–1978) began his career at a historic moment when mass-market magazines had begun entering millions of American homes. He went on to illustrate for The Saturday Evening Post for nearly five decades, creating 321 illustrations for its covers alone. Through his warmhearted, humorous, and superbly wrought illustrations, Rockwell created images of an idealized nation peppered with small towns and filled with industrious, down-to-earth folks. His artworks reflected the currents of American life.