Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978) Friend in Need, 1949 Oil on canvas 38-1/2 x 29-1/2 inches (97.8 x 74.9 cm) Signed lower right: Norman / Rockwell Property from the BSA Settlement Trust, Sold for the Benefit of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse LITERATURE: Boy Scouts of America Calendar, Brown & Bigelow Co., Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1949, illustrated. W. Hillcourt, Norman Rockwell's World of Scouting, New York, 1977, p. 137, illustrated; L.N. Moffatt, Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, Vol. I, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1986, p. 279, no. A69, illustrated; J. Csatari, Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America, New York, 2009, pp. 54-55, illustrated. Norman Rockwell's A Friend in Need exemplifies one of the artist's most tender themes within his Boy Scouts of America commissions for Brown & Bigelow—the quiet, intimate moments that give rise to everyday acts of service. Reflecting on his process, Rockwell noted that "the first job is to hit on a good idea," one that would resonate simply and immediately, a quality that made his Scouting images easily recognizable" (as quoted in J. Csatari, Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America, New York, 2009, p. 55). In the present work, two Scouts pause beneath a tree to tend to a dog's injured paw, their attention wholly absorbed in the task. The younger boy cradles the animal, offering reassurance, while the older Scout works with careful, practiced hands. The scene is emblematic of the broader Scouting ethos—service rendered without spectacle, expressed through care, competence, and cooperation. This motif of guidance and aid recurs throughout Rockwell's Brown & Bigelow imagery, where Scouts are frequently depicted assisting others—whether fellow Scouts, family members, or animals—underscoring the movement's emphasis on preparedness and moral responsibility. Dogs appear regularly in Rockwell's work, often serving as both compositional anchors and emotional conduits. The beagle seen here closely resembles the artist's own dog, Pitter, a frequent and familiar presence in his paintings. As both subject and studio companion, the animal functions as a sympathetic character, reinforcing the themes of trust and dependence that lie at the heart of the scene. A Friend in Need distills a fleeting moment into a lasting image of empathy and action. In doing so, Rockwell aligns the practical skills of Scouting with a broader humanistic message, presenting service not as an abstract ideal but as a tangible, practiced response to the needs of others. HID12401132022 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Condition report available upon request.
Framed Dimensions 43.5 X 34.5 Inches