This report summarizes a nine month study of anti-forgery techniques that Norman Rockwell incorporated into his paintings. The scope of the examination included ninety paintings and ten portraits created by Mr. Rockwell between 1914 and 1972. The outcome of the investigation clearly showed that Mr. Rockwell employed both simple and highly technical processes aimed at preventing forgers from creating pieces that could be falsely attributed to him or from producing look-a-likes of his original pieces.
This report provides detailed information that can quickly identify a Norman Rockwell original at little or no cost. The presence of these anti-forgery techniques represents the most important factor for determining if a purported Norman Rockwell painting is authentic.
Nothing in the NRM Archives, Internet stories/articles or printed books by or about Mr. Rockwell mentions his use of…show more content… This technique involved the use of two specific shapes in his non-portrait paintings. All ninety paintings in the scope of this investigation had a “helmet” shape containing the letters of his last name and an “M” shape contains the letters of his first name.
A consistent relationship was discovered that exists between the placement of the “helmet” and the “M” shapes and the focal point of each picture.
The helmet shape always appears on the person or object that represents the focal point of the scene. Mr. Rockwell's focal point is always in or near the center of the painting. If it is difficult to distinguish which person or object is the true focal point, the helmet shape appears on the person or object that has the color red somewhere on it.
The M shape is a fraction of the size of the helmet shape and appears close to the focal point. It is always on the character with the strongest emotions/feelings/sentiments about the focal point. The M shape touches something
