‘If Your Eyesight Controls Your ‘Great Decisions…” 1929

This image shows two gentlemen engrossed in a card game, conjured by Norman Rockwell with oil on canvas. I can imagine Rockwell’s approach to this piece; meticulously planned, each brushstroke carefully placed to capture the essence of the scene. I feel a sense of camaraderie here, a quiet tension in the air as each player assesses his hand. The palette is muted, dominated by warm browns and creams, creating an intimate, nostalgic atmosphere. Look at the way Rockwell renders the texture of the vests and the gleam of the spectacles, evidence of his technical skill, while his loose brushstrokes soften the edges of the players, hinting at the casual nature of their encounter. This piece reminds me of the Ashcan School painters, like John Sloan, who celebrated the everyday lives of ordinary people, with a similar interest in narrative and character. These artists shared an impulse to look with care at the world around them. Rockwell’s ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia is his legacy to other painters—and to us.