Tom Wolfe: Rockwell is the new Picasso

Tom Wolfe: Norman Rockwell will soon be recognized
as the Picasso of the second half of the Twentieth century.

Tom Wolfe is perhaps America’s greatest living writer. He is certainly an astute social observer, so it is unsurprising that the great man thinks “illustrators will be considered the great American artists of the second half of the Twentieth century.” An opinion that Juicings has voiced for some years and which is now being borne out in the high prices being paid for collectable illustrators such as Norman Rockwell and Gil Elvegren.

Wolfe, perhaps better know for books such as The Right Stuff, Bonfire of the Vanities and Electric Kool Aid Acid Test, certainly knows how to put pen to paper, but it will be a surprise for many Juicelings to learn that he is also a talented illustrator himself.

The National Museum of illustration in Newport R.I, is currently paying homage to Wolfe,  with an exhibition of 37 of his pen & ink illustrations.

The exhibition contains the illustrations from his book, In our time,which were originally reproduced in Harpers magazine. The exhibition runs through labor day. The great satirists unique insights into the world of modern art can be found in his excellent book, Painted Bird. Wolfe’s latest novel, Back to Blood is due next year.