We, Too, Have a Job to Do
| We, Too, Have a Job to Do | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Norman Rockwell |
| Year | 1942 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 76 cm × 56 cm (30 in × 22 in) |
| Location | National Scouting Museum |
We, Too, Have a Job to Do is a painting by American illustrator Norman Rockwell that depicts a Boy Scout in full uniform standing in front of a waving American flag. It was originally created by Rockwell in 1942 for the 1944 Brown & Bigelow Boy Scout Calendar.[1] The model, Bob Hamilton, won a contest to be in the painting and personally delivered a print to the Vice President of the United States at the time, Henry A. Wallace.
Creation
[edit]The painting was created to encourage Scouts to participate in the war effort during World War II.[2] The name of the painting, We, Too, Have a Job to Do, comes from a slogan that the Boy Scouts of America used in 1942 to rally scouts to support the troops by collecting metal and planting victory gardens.[3]
The model, Bob Hamilton, won a contest with his local council in Albany, New York, to be depicted in the painting.[4] He traveled to Rockwell's studio in Arlington, Vermont, to model for Rockwell.[5] Since Hamilton was a scout, the uniform shown in the painting was his, unlike some of Rockwell's other models. Originally, he wore a turtle shell neckerchief slide with his uniform that he had made. Rockwell did not like it and asked Hamilton to swap it for a simpler Turk's head slide.[4] In 1944, Hamilton personally delivered a copy of the painting to Vice President Henry A. Wallace.[4] Hamilton later became an Eagle Scout, served in the Navy, and worked for the Boy Scouts.[5] He died in July 2008, at the age of 82.[6]
Composition
[edit]The painting depicts a Boy Scout giving the Scout salute; behind him is an American flag, rippling in an unseen breeze.[2] The Scout's face is solemn yet confident.[5] His brown eyes, cleft chin, and idealized face stand out to the viewer.[2] The Scout's uniform is perfect, with a campaign hat, showing that he is a First Class Scout. A Den Chief cord hangs over the Scout's right shoulder, and a backpack hangs over his left shoulder.
Meaning
[edit]The painting represents the idea that there is always work to be done in a Scout's neighborhood and that it is a Scout's duty to do it.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "We, Too, Have a Job To Do". Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints History. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c Allen, Henry (April 26, 1996). "Brave, Trustworthy, Loyal, Obedient Norman Rockwell's Reverent Portraits of America's Youthful Ideal". The Washington Post – via LexisNexis.
- ^ West, James E (March 1, 1942). We Too Have A Job To Do!. Boy Scouts of America.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d Monteleone, James (August 3, 2008). "World War II icon dies at 82: Rockwell model inspired scouts to aid country, community". Farmington Daily Times – via LexisNexis.
- ^ a b c "Arthur Robert "Bob" Hamilton". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. August 5, 2008.
- ^ "Model for Rockwell Boy Scout Painting Dies at 82". Albuquerque Journal. Associated Press. August 4, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
Further reading
[edit]- "Boy Scout '44 Calendars". The Star Press. Muncie, Indiana. January 5, 1944. Retrieved May 13, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
- "Mayor Hangs Scout Calendar". The Cincinnati Enquirer. January 7, 1944. Retrieved May 13, 2017 – via newspapers.com.