Priya Kapoor
Norman Rockwell's painting Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon, more commonly known as Puppy Love, is one of the artist's most beloved and recognisable works. Painted in 1926, it was originally created as a cover illustration for the April 24, 1926, issue of The Saturday Evening Post. The painting depicts a young couple sitting on a bench, gazing at the moon, with their backs to the viewer, and a puppy sitting behind them. In 2015, the painting was donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, by Bill Millis, who had purchased it in 1975.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Norman Rockwell |
| Date | 1926 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Depicts | Young boy and girl sitting on a bench and looking at the moon, their backs facing the viewer. The boy has his arm around the girl's waist, and a puppy sits behind them. |
| Donor | Bill Millis |
| Donor's Residence | High Point, North Carolina |
| Donated To | Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts |
| Donated Date | February 2015 |
| Donated By | Bill Millis and his four children Casey, Maggie, Jenny, and Jesse |
| Purchase Date | 1975 |
| Purchase Price | $27,000 |
| Estimated Current Value | $4 million |
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What You'll Learn
Norman Rockwell's 'Puppy Love' was painted in 1926
Norman Rockwell's painting "Puppy Love" captures the essence of American life and is one of his most beloved and recognisable works. The painting, also known as "Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon" or "The Spooners", was created in 1926 as a cover illustration for the April 24, 1926, issue of "The Saturday Evening Post". It depicts a young couple sitting on a bench, gazing at the moon, with the boy's arm around the girl's waist, and a puppy sitting behind them. The couple is entranced by the moon and each other's company, embodying the innocence and sweetness of young love.
The original oil on canvas painting was purchased by Bill Millis in 1975 for $27,000 when he was just 26 years old. Millis, a resident of High Point, North Carolina, had a deep appreciation for Rockwell's work, seeing it as a representation of America. Over the years, he corresponded with Rockwell, inquiring about original works for sale. Rockwell kindly replied, informing him of a showing at the Bernard Dannenberg Galleries in New York City. Millis travelled to New York and was captivated by "Puppy Love" when he saw it.
Recognising the rising value of Rockwell's artwork, Millis debated what to do with the painting. Despite the temptation to sell it for a substantial profit, Millis ultimately decided to donate it to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In doing so, he honoured Rockwell's legacy and ensured that the painting found a permanent home where it could be appreciated by thousands of visitors. The donation, made in consultation with Millis's family, included his four children, Casey, Maggie, Jenny, and Jesse.
The Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the artist's work. With the addition of "Puppy Love" to its permanent collection, the museum gained a significant piece that represents a pivotal stage in Rockwell's career. The painting's arrival tripled the usual number of visitors over the Valentine's Day weekend in 2015, underscoring its popularity and cultural significance. Today, "Puppy Love" remains an iconic symbol of Rockwell's unique ability to capture the heartwarming moments and emotions of everyday life.
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It was a cover illustration for the Saturday Evening Post
Norman Rockwell's painting "Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon" (also known as "Puppy Love") was originally created as a cover illustration for the April 24, 1926, issue of The Saturday Evening Post. The oil painting depicts a young couple sitting on a bench, gazing at the moon, with their backs to the viewer. The boy has his arm around the girl's waist, and a puppy sits behind them. This tender and beloved image captures the innocence and enchantment of young love, with the couple holding a simple fishing pole and a can of worms, adding to the charm of the scene.
"Puppy Love" has become one of Rockwell's most recognisable and beloved works, with its popularity enduring through the generations. The painting was donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, by Bill Millis, who purchased it in 1975 when he was 26 years old. Millis had a deep appreciation for Rockwell's art, and his kind gesture ensured that the painting found a "happy home" where it could be enjoyed by thousands of visitors.
The decision to donate "Puppy Love" to the museum was a significant one, as original Rockwell paintings have skyrocketed in value over the years. Millis recognised the painting's worth but ultimately chose to prioritise its accessibility to the public and its place in honouring an incredible American artist. This generous act allowed the museum to acquire a valuable piece of art that might otherwise have been out of reach due to its high market price.
The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is dedicated to the artist's work and houses the largest collection of original Rockwell art in the world. The addition of "Puppy Love" to its permanent collection not only enhances the museum's appeal but also provides valuable insight into Rockwell's career and artistic style during the 1920s. The painting's presence in the museum ensures that it will be cherished and appreciated by art enthusiasts and admirers of Rockwell's work for generations to come.
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The painting was donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum
The painting "Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon", more commonly known as "Puppy Love", was donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 2015. The donor was Bill Millis, who had bought the painting in 1975 when he was 26 years old. Millis recalled:
> I loved everything Rockwell had painted—for me, it’s what America stood for. Little did I know how popular Mr. Rockwell was, but I’d write him and he’d always write me back. I asked him if he knew whether any originals would ever be for sale, and he told me that there was going to be a showing at the Bernard Dannenberg Galleries in New York City.
Millis travelled to New York and met with the gallery’s curator, who showed him the works on view. Millis recalled his reaction to seeing "Puppy Love" for the first time:
> I was just in awe of the Rockwell paintings, and all of a sudden I saw this one, Puppy Love, and I asked if it was for sale, and he said it was, and I said ‘Oh my goodness!’.
Millis wrote to Rockwell to let him know he had bought the painting, and Rockwell replied:
> I’m glad Puppy Love finally has a happy home.
Millis had long considered donating the painting to the Norman Rockwell Museum, but was tempted by the prospect of selling it and using the proceeds to fund a church-building ministry. However, he ultimately decided, in consultation with his family, that he would donate the painting to the museum. He said:
> I decided to gift it to the Museum. I thought I can go ahead and visit the Museum while I’m still alive, taking my children and grandchildren. I’m just thrilled that the painting is going to be there in the Museum, where hopefully thousands of people can also view it.
The Norman Rockwell Museum was, of course, ecstatic to receive the donation. The museum's spokesperson, Jeremy Clowe, said:
> We're just very excited about this new addition to the permanent collection. It's an important work to show that stage of Rockwell's career, and certainly has found a great home here.
The painting is now part of the museum's permanent collection, which includes 998 original paintings and drawings by Rockwell, as well as an archive of 100,000 items, including working photographs, correspondence, fan mail, and contracts.
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'Puppy Love' is also known as 'Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon'
Norman Rockwell's painting "Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon" (also known as "Puppy Love" or "The Spooners") was painted in 1926. It was originally created as a cover illustration for the April 24, 1926, issue of "The Saturday Evening Post". The painting depicts a young couple sitting on a bench, gazing at the moon, with their backs to the viewer. The boy has his arm around the girl's waist, and a puppy sits behind them. The painting captures the innocence and sweetness of young love, as the couple is also shown carrying a fishing pole and worms in a can, adding to the charm of the scene.
"Puppy Love" is considered one of Rockwell's most beloved and tender images, showcasing his unique ability to capture the essence of American life. The painting was donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, by Bill Millis, who purchased it in 1975. Millis had a deep appreciation for Rockwell's work, often corresponding with the artist himself. Despite the temptation to sell the painting due to its high value, Millis ultimately decided to donate it to the museum, recognising its cultural significance.
The painting has attracted many visitors to the museum, especially around Valentine's Day, as it captures the life's simple pleasures and the blush of first love. The work is a valuable addition to the museum's permanent collection, providing insight into Rockwell's career and artistic style.
The "Puppy Love Suite", which includes lithographs of the painting, is also highly sought-after by art collectors. Each lithograph in the suite is pencil-signed and numbered by Rockwell himself, ensuring their authenticity and adding to their value. The suite was appraised at a significant value, reflecting the enduring popularity and cultural importance of Rockwell's work.
Norman Rockwell was an American painter and illustrator known for his ability to capture the essence of American life in his artwork. His paintings, including "Puppy Love", have become iconic and continue to charm new generations with their heartfelt and nostalgic depictions of everyday moments.
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The painting's value has increased over the years
Norman Rockwell's painting "Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon", more commonly known as "Puppy Love", has undoubtedly increased in value over the years. The painting, created in 1926, was initially commissioned as a cover illustration for the April 1926 issue of "The Saturday Evening Post". While Rockwell was a prolific artist, with his works remaining accessible, their value has skyrocketed. This is especially true for his famous magazine cover paintings, of which "Puppy Love" is one.
Bill Millis, the previous owner of "Puppy Love", purchased the painting in 1975 for $27,000, which was a significant sum at the time. However, in the intervening years, the value of Rockwell's original works has soared to a whole new level. Millis himself acknowledged the dramatic increase in value, stating that he was tempted to sell "Puppy Love" due to the sky-high prices Rockwell's paintings were commanding.
In recent years, original Norman Rockwell paintings have been breaking auction records. In December 2013, Rockwell's "Saying Grace" sold for a staggering $46 million, more than ten times what Millis paid for "Puppy Love". Another work, "The Gossips", fetched $8.5 million, and "Walking to Church" sold for $3.2 million. These sales prices highlight the substantial increase in the value of Rockwell's art.
If "Puppy Love" were to be sold on the art market today, it is estimated to be valued at around $4 million, and it could potentially sell for even more. This valuation is a testament to the enduring appeal and increasing worth of Norman Rockwell's artwork, especially his iconic magazine cover illustrations like "Puppy Love".
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Frequently asked questions
Norman Rockwell's 'Puppy Love' was painted in 1926.
'Puppy Love' is also known as ''Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon' and depicts a young couple sitting on a bench, looking at the moon, with their backs facing the viewer. The boy has his arm around the girl's waist and there is a puppy sitting behind them.
The original painting was donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, by Bill Millis and his four children, Casey, Maggie, Jenny, and Jesse.
