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Aviva's Picks
Aviva Lehmann | Senior Vice President, American Art
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Dean Cornwell's Boy Scout and Father at Nathan Hale Statue thoughtfully references Frederick MacMonnies's celebrated sculpture of the Revolutionary War hero. I love how Cornwell connects history and contemporary ideals, beautifully capturing a quiet moment of inspiration between father and son. Masterfully painted with rich storytelling and evocative detail, this work is a quintessential example of Golden Age illustration at its finest.
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Joseph Csatari's The New Spirit holds a special place in this auction as a poignant tribute to his legacy, especially following his passing on April 14 at the age of 96. As Csatari's inaugural painting as the official artist for the Boy Scouts of America, this work reimagines Norman Rockwell's final Scout illustration, symbolizing a seamless transition and the enduring spirit of Scouting. Depicting Scouts ringing the Liberty Bell, it encapsulates themes of unity, patriotism, and youthful optimism, marking it as a cornerstone of Csatari's esteemed career.
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Liz's Picks
Liz Goodridge | VP, West Coast Director of American Art
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When looking at this image, it is immediately clear the strong influence and admiration Rockwell held for the famed American Illustrator, N.C. Wyeth. Rockwell's richly colored, fantastical depiction of the spirit of George Washington feels just like an illustration ripped from the pages of The Last of the Mohicans or Rip Van Winkle, some of Wyeth's most celebrated and enduring storybook illustrations. A Scout is Loyal is a moving tribute to the past, present and future of narrative art.
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This calendar painting Rockwell produced in 1944 for the Boy Scout's annual Brown & Bigelow calendar is one of striking patriotism. The work is among Rockwell's many wartime commissions and was painted following the artist's completion of his monumental and historically significant Four Freedoms series. The same enduring patriotism that defined Rockwell's wartime works is now cast upon this portrait of a young man, a uniformed First Class Scout, who raises a three-finger salute. The symbol of the flag in background represents the Boy Scouts' commitment to the American cause during World War II and commemorates the organizations legacy in society and politics.
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Max's Picks
Max Condon | Associate Specialist, Fine & Decorative Arts
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As a younger brother, I know what it's like to wait your turn. In Mighty Proud, Norman Rockwell perfectly captures the feeling of finally having your moment to shine. In this wonderful composition, a family surrounds and supports a young child as he dons his Boy Scout uniform for the first time. Rockwell's careful use of bright colors build the narrative, the red jacket of the older brother lending a helping hand, the blue uniform of the Cub Scouts cast aside. The highlight is of course the boy's face, beaming with pride as he begins this new journey.
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In a quiet moment building a birdhouse, Rockwell finds a lesson. Two Cubs flank a Scout, watching intently as he shows them a new skill. Behind, a senior Scout observes the young teacher. Rockwell's ability to bring warmth and character to vignettes packed with symbolism are what make his work so iconic. In The Right Way, he shows us leaders are born and community is fostered through small actions as well as big ones.
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Emily's Picks
Emily Duffy | Cataloguer, Fine Arts
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Officially titled A Scout is Brave, this powerful scene exemplifies more than just bravery—it reveals loyalty to a friend in need, the courage to risk one's own safety for another, and the deep bond of brotherhood. You don't have to be in the Boy Scouts to feel the connection this image evokes. It taps into something universally human: the instinct to protect, to stand by a friend, and to ensure that an adventure doesn't end alone-but stronger, together.
This is but one depiction of Scout Law by Hintermeister included in this auction, others include A Scout is Cheerful, A Scout is Courteous, A Scout is Clean, and
A Scout is Friendly.
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This cover bursts with the joyful chaos of childhood-boys playing baseball, climbing trees, dodging bees—all happening at once in a swirl of motion and imagination. Visibly contrasting with the Boy Scouts of America's traditional values of courtesy, obedience, and orderliness, this piece offers a more honest and charming view of boys simply being unfiltered, messy, and joyful. It reflects a reality where structure gives way to spontaneity, capturing the true dynamic of a child. That feeling brings me back to my own childhood summers—experiencing everything all at once, with an unbound imagination and a constant drive to explore the limits of what I could do. This work deepened the magazine's connection to the daily lives and imaginations of its young audience and
remains a beautiful reminder of the spirited disorder that defines growing up—from the 1930s to now.
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Aviva Lehmann
Senior Vice President,
American Art
AvivaL@HA.com
(212) 486-3530
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Liz Goodridge
VP, West Coast
Director of American Art
LizG@HA.com
(214) 409-3223
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Max Condon
Associate Specialist,
Fine & Decorative Arts
MaxC@HA.com
(312) 260-7234
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