Artistic Process and Public Memory in Norman Rockwell�s The Babysitter
Gerlach, Emory
Gerlach, Emory
Citations
Altmetric:
License
License
Abstract
Norman Rockwell�s The Babysitter has been in the care of the Fleming Museum of Art since 1997, when it was loaned from the Burlington School District following the 1990s �Save The Babysitter� campaign. Although the painting has been on display since 1999, it lacked a descriptive label to contextualize its significance. Conducted during a Collections and Curatorial internship at the Fleming, this project reveals The Babysitter�s rich history and deep connection with Vermont communities, with the goal of creating a more community-centered label. This project draws on archival materials from Silver Special Collections and the Fleming, including correspondence, student reflections, and campaign documents. Research from the Norman Rockwell Museum�s online archive highlights Rockwell�s creative process, including preliminary sketches, photographic references, and the use of multiple models. This project also situates the painting within Rockwell�s time in Vermont, emphasizing the influence of the local community on his work. This original research resulted in a new label accompanying the painting (which is currently on view at the Fleming), as well as a compilation of existing information regarding The Babysitter. The consolidation of these materials into a single resource supports future label writing, fact-checking, and loan documentation. By combining visual analysis, archival research, and social history, this study demonstrates how The Babysitter embodies Rockwell�s artistic methods and the work�s enduring resonance within local contexts.
Description
Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Senior (Graduating in 2026)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type of presentation
Oral Presentation
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
DOI
Advisor(s)
Department
Program/Major
Anthropology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Organization
Research Category
Arts and Humanities