[Yokoyama Museum of Art] Special Exhibition: "Norman Rockwell Exhibition Continued"

Special Exhibition: "Norman Rockwell Exhibition Continued"

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was an American illustrator. He is known for creating covers for the Saturday Evening Post, the most popular magazine in America at the time, for 47 years starting in 1916. His illustrations of American family life and nostalgia captured the hearts of the American people.

Did you know that official Rockwell figurines were made in Seto? Ceramic ornaments and dolls produced in Seto are called "Seto novelties." From the 1970s onward, Seto novelties based on Rockwell's illustrations were produced by multiple manufacturers and exported to the United States. The technique of transforming a two-dimensional illustration into a three-dimensional object, filling in unpainted parts so it can be viewed from all angles, was a craft skill cultivated in Seto.

Now, the long-awaited Norman Rockwell Exhibition Continued! Enjoy the world of Norman Rockwell, which symbolizes the development of America, in three dimensions.

[Exhibits and Highlights]

I. The World of Norman Rockwell in Three Dimensions

-- "I paint life as I would like it to be." - Norman Rockwell

In an era of upheaval, Rockwell depicted the good old days of America with humor, and sometimes sensitively reflected social trends. Even nearly half a century after his death, he remains an iconic American illustrator. Enjoy the miniature world that recreates Norman Rockwell's illustrations in three dimensions.

Kowa Pottery, "The First Step," circa 1979 -- Warm and ideal American family life

Maruyama Pottery, "After the Prom," circa 1979 -- Fresh youth and American events

Maruyama Pottery, "Marriage License," circa 1976 -- One of Rockwell's masterpieces also made into a three-dimensional object

Goto, "The Boy Who Visited Rockwell," circa 1981 -- Rockwell himself becomes a novelty

II. Seto's Techniques

When the plaster mold method was introduced to Seto around the time of the 1873 Vienna World Exposition, molding and mass production techniques developed further. During World War I, Seto took over from Germany to meet the American demand for bisque dolls, which led to novelties becoming a major industry. With this production system and technical prowess, from the 1970s onward, official museums and department stores commissioned Seto novelties based on Norman Rockwell's works.

Please also pay attention to the handcrafted techniques cultivated in Seto.

TK Nagoya Doll Ceramics, "Freedom of Worship," circa 1981 -- The original painting is a close-up of the head; the modeler's complementary technique shines

Maruyama Pottery, "Saying Grace," circa 1976 -- Molding technique that carefully shapes even wrinkles and thin parts of the chair

Maruyama Pottery, "Four Seasons: The Childish Husband," circa 1978 -- Reproducing the colors of the original painting with paints different from those used in the painting

The exhibition will feature approximately 250 novelty items, including newly acquired pieces! It will also display magazines and advertisements from the time that featured Rockwell's illustrations.

[Event Overview]

Exhibition Name: "Norman Rockwell Exhibition Continued"

Period: Friday, June 5, 2026 - Sunday, September 27, 2026

Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)

Closed: Every Monday (open on national holidays, closed the following weekday), Thursday, August 13 - Monday, August 17

Admission: General 1,000 yen (800 yen), University/High School Students/Seniors 65+ 800 yen (600 yen), Junior High School Students 600 yen (400 yen), Elementary School Students and younger free. *Prices in parentheses are for groups of 20 or more / 700 yen for persons with disability certificates.

Supported by: Aichi Prefectural Board of Education, Nagoya City Board of Education, Seto City Board of Education, Nagoya City Public Elementary and Junior High School PTA Council

[Related Events]

■ Painting Experience Workshop "Little Foal and the Blue Bird of Happiness"

Popular with cute animals! Color a small porcelain object handmade by Seto ceramic artist Yoko Murai.

Date & Time: Saturday, August 29, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Instructor: Yoko Murai (Ceramic Artist)

Participation Fee: 4,000 yen (includes material and firing costs; separate admission fee required)

Capacity: 20 people (advance registration required)

■ Gallery Talk

Curators will explain the exhibitions (special and permanent).

Dates & Times: Saturday, June 6; Saturday, June 20; Saturday, July 4; Saturday, July 18; Saturday, August 1; Saturday, August 22; Saturday, September 5; Saturday, September 19. All sessions start at 1:30 PM and last about 1 hour.

Location: Yokoyama Museum of Art Exhibition Room

*No advance registration required; admission fee required.

[Related Sales]

Exhibition Pamphlet: 200 yen (tax incl.)

Seto Novelty Design Clear File: 100 yen (tax incl.)

About the Yokoyama Museum of Art ▶

The Yokoyama Museum of Art collects and displays export ceramics created during the Meiji and Taisho eras that have been repatriated. You can see breathtakingly intricate and bold works, including export ceramics made in the Nagoya area, Old Noritake (Japan's first Western-style ceramics), and Sumida ware, which is rarely seen in large collections.

Yokoyama Museum of Art HP

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Yokoyama Museum of Art (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)

1-1-21 Aoi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 461-0004

TEL: 052-931-0006