Norman Rockwell "The Problem We All Live With"
This art print is:
NEW
Plate signed Art print
CUSTOM FRAMED in a dark frame.
Double matted in white and chamois yellow.
Framed Size: 17" x 13"
Image Size: 10" x 6"
Hanging hardware mounted on the back
Own a piece of important Civil Rights history
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About the image... "The Problem We All Live With" is the title of Rockwell's iconic painting depcting Ruby Bridges on her first day of school at William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by US Marshalls during the desegregation crisis.  The painting, created in 1963 and published in Look magazine  in 1964, is a powerful commentary on racial injustice and the ongoing struggle for equality. It highlights the tension between the legal mandate for integration and the deeply ingrained racism that manifested as threats and hostility towards a six-year-old child.
The Image:
 
The painting shows Ruby Bridges, dressed in white, walking between four U.S. Marshals, their faces obscured, suggesting a sense of anonymity and authority. The background features a wall defaced with racial slurs ("N----R" and "KKK") and a splattered tomato, symbolizing the violence and hate Ruby faced.
Context:
The painting captures a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, when the legal desegregation of schools was met with resistance and prejudice. While legally mandated, the integration of schools was a deeply contentious issue, and Rockwell's painting brought that reality to a wider audience.
Symbolism:
The painting is rich in symbolism. Ruby's white clothing contrasts with the dark wall and the marshals' suits, emphasizing her vulnerability and the starkness of the racial divide. The marshals, while protecting her, also represent the force of law and the ongoing struggle for equality. The graffiti and the tomato highlight the hateful environment Ruby had to navigate.
Impact:
"The Problem We All Live With" is not just a historical document; it continues to resonate today as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and the importance of fighting for equality. It underscores that while laws may change, attitudes and behaviors can be slow to adapt.
Artist:
Norman Rockwell, known for his idyllic depictions of American life, used his art to address social issues during the Civil Rights Movement, making a powerful statement about the reality of racial inequality. He chose to portray this event, even though it wasn't the typical subject matter for his work, to confront the nation with the harsh realities of racism.
Artist Biography:
Norman Percevel Rockwell was an American painter and illustrator. His works have a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over nearly five decades. animals, cats, dogs, children, historical, life scenes, 1960s, african american history, enduring ideals, freedom's legacy, civil rights
 
Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed."
-- Norman Rockwell