Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 11: Boy with Baby Carriage

by Norman Rockwell

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Norman Rockwell's 'Boy with a Baby Carriage' was his very first Saturday Evening Post cover, and it was a hit. The picture shows an unhappy boy dressed up in a suit and black hat and pushing a carriage. The strap of his hat flies through the air, hinting that he is walking fast. A baby bottle of milk sticks out from his pocket. A tiny red shoe is visible in the carriage. Why is the boy so unhappy? Two smirking boys in baseball uniforms are passing by and teasing him. One tips his hat, and the other places a finger to his chin. The uniformed boys are off to have fun playing baseball, while the boy in the suit must take care of his little brother or sister.

Vocabulary

Baby Carriage: A four-wheeled carriage for a baby, typically with a retractable hood, pushed by a person on foot.
Visible: Able to be seen.
Unhappy: Not happy, sad or angry.
Smirking: A mocking or sarcastic smile.
Teasing: Making fun of someone.
Tip (hat): Lifting and lowering or tilting a hat as a greeting to another person.
Suit: A set of clothes made of the same fabric and designed to be worn together, often a jacket and trousers or a jacket and skirt.
Hat Strap: A strap connecting a hat and another item of clothing to prevent losing the hat.

Concepts

1. Norman Rockwell was born in 1894 in New York City, New York.

2. Zoom in and find Rockwell's birth state on the map of the United States.

3. Rockwell painted brightly colored, oftentimes humorous snapshots of American life.
4. At times, Rockwell also portrayed serious social issues, such as the civil rights movement and school desegregation.
5. Between 1916 and 1963, Rockwell painted many covers for the Saturday Evening Post, a bimonthly American magazine.
6. Rockwell died in 1978 in Massachusetts at the age of 84.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Carriage
• Suit
• Tie
• Hat Strap
• Baseball Uniform
• Baseball Hat
• Baby's Foot
• Baby Blanket
• Baby Bottle
• Baseball Glove

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Artist   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 16 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 5: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 17 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are a boy caring for his baby brother/sister and his two friends.

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the setting of the painting?

2 / 4

Answer 2

Most likely outside on a sidewalk or street.

2 / 4

Question 3

Why is the boy pushing the carriage angry?

3 / 4

Answer 3

He's angry with his friends for making fun of him. He'd rather be playing baseball than caring for the baby.

3 / 4

Question 4

Why is the work titled 'Boy with a Baby Carriage?'

4 / 4

Answer 4

The painting shows a boy pushing a baby carriage.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The characters are a boy caring for his baby brother/sister and his two friends.
2. What is the setting of the painting? Most likely outside on a sidewalk or street.
3. Why is the boy pushing the carriage angry? He's angry with his friends for making fun of him. He'd rather be playing baseball than caring for the baby.
4. Why is the work titled 'Boy with a Baby Carriage?' The painting shows a boy pushing a baby carriage.

References

'Norman Rockwell.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Boy with Baby Carriage.' Wikiart. Wikiart.org. n.p.