A Saturday Evening for J.C. Leyendecker at The NRM

Rachel Louchen reports from Stockbridge. The arrival of spring brings change and, at Norman Rockwell Museum, it means "fresh new work" said Director Laurie Norton Moffatt, as she addressed the crowd at the opening reception for J.C. Leyendecker and The Saturday Evening Post on Saturday, March 21. The exciting exhibit is a tribute to the innovative illustrator, who captivated the country with his magazine covers, an astounding 400 for numerous general interest publications and 322 for The Saturday Evening Post (beating Rockwell by just one). On display until June 14, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse of every one of his Post covers, generously donated by NRM trustee William Hargreaves (shown above with his wife, Sandy). Rockwell and Leyendecker were good friends during their years as neighbors in New Rochelle, New York, their work had common themes, and Leyendecker was a huge influence on Rockwell. Now, museum guests are invited to compare their work as it hangs side by side.

President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, Robert Horvath, with Deputy Director and Chief Curator Stephanie Plunkett; Pip Deely and Leigh Moffat.

Judy Cutler and Laurence Cutler, art historians and founders of the National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, Rhode Island, who gave an in-depth talk about Leyendecker’s career, shown here with Tim McCann at far left.

Stephanie Beling and Gloria Pixley of Lenox; Curatorial staffer Barbara Rundback with Jesse Kowalski, curator of exhibitions.

Just one of the covered walls displaying the complete set of Leyendecker's 322 Post covers.

Made in the Berkshires co-founder Hilary Somers Deely with Michael Pulitzer, Jr., who sits on the NRM National Advisory committee; New NRM member Alison Ash from West Stockbridge with Margit Hotchkiss, deputy director for audience and business development.