'We the Peoples' exhibit of iconic artwork by Norman Rockwell set to open at UN Headquarters

Part of an ongoing series of global events marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, a special exhibition is set to open at the world body's New York Headquarters bringing together legendary artist Norman Rockwell's original United Nations drawing, his Golden Rule painting, and a collection of work that reflects his appreciation for humanity and the noble goals of the Organization.

The exhibition, We The Peoples: Norman Rockwell's United Nations, opening Monday 29 June, runs through 15 September, and is being presented by the Norman Rockwell Museum, located in in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation and the UN Department of Public Information.

It features 33 original artworks by the iconic American painter and illustrator, including United Nations, a massive, complex charcoal drawing made in 1953 that portrays members of the Security Council and 65 people representing the nations of the world, and Golden Rule, a painting Rockwell made in 1961 where he celebrated the peoples of the world.

While a mosaic based on Golden Rule has been on display at the UN since 1985 – offered as a 40th anniversary gift on behalf of the United States by then First Lady Nancy Reagan – the drawing and the painting were never exhibited before outside their home at the Norman Rockwell Museum. They will be on display along with sketches, colour studies and notes for both artworks.

In an interview ahead of the opening of the exhibition, Mr. Eliasson spoke with the UN News Centre, and praised United Nations as “one of the most unique pieces that you can see.” He said the beauty of the painting is the closeness of the people “listening to the discussion, and you can see in their faces their worries, their concerns, their aspirations, their dreams – each face expresses what you hope this Organization can produce: peace, development, human rights.”

Also included in the exhibition are a colourful series of travel paintings and some iconic images of the civil rights area that reflect Rockwell's idealism and hopeful outlook for the future.

During the opening ceremony Monday night, remarks will be made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson; Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation; and Laurie Norton Moffatt, Director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum.