A Pilgrim`s Progress 1921

Norman Rockwell made “A Pilgrim’s Progress” with oil paints, though when it was painted, I can’t say. Look at that young pilgrim, all wide-eyed and running! What strikes me is Rockwell’s rendering of movement. See how the brushstrokes get looser, especially in the background? It’s like a blur, pushing the figure forward. And the arrows, flying every which way, create such a great sense of chaos and energy. I love how Rockwell handled the turkey's feathers, detailed and almost iridescent, contrasting with the simplicity of the figure's clothing. You can see the brushstrokes, the texture of the paint, it’s so direct. Maybe it's a little like one of those old history paintings but a little less grand, more folksy. It reminds me of some of those early American painters, but with a touch of that mid-century advertising vibe. It's a painting that tells a story, but leaves plenty of room for us to imagine the rest.