Triple Self Portrait - Norman Rockwell (1960) and inspirations by James Brennan and Alfred E. Neuman

by Tony Magee

'Triple Self Portrait" in its original format is an oil painting by American illustrator Norman Rockwell, created in 1960 for the cover of the February 13 edition of The Saturday Evening Post.

Triple Self Portrait by Norman Rockwell, 1960

Pained on canvas and measuring 34.5 by 44.5 inches (88 cm × 113 cm), it is set in a white void.

It depicts a rear-view of Rockwell sitting at an easel producing a self-portrait. A gold-framed mirror topped with an eagle is set up to the left on a chair; Rockwell can be seen in its reflection as a thin and bespectacled man. On the chair in front of the mirror sits a glass of Coca-Cola and an open book.

On the canvas in front of the illustrator is an unfinished sketch of himself in his idealised art style. On the right side of the canvas Rockwell pinned self-portraits by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, and Picasso. A piece of paper with sketches sits on the left. In total, there are seven self-portraits depicted in the work.

According to Michele Bogart, the painting shows that Rockwell saw himself as split between an artist and an illustrator.

According to Deborah Solomon, by not painting his eyes in the reflection, Rockwell shows that he rejects "the popular myth of artists as heroic seers". Further, she sees the work as Rockwell's "manifesto" by depicting the way American Realism is divorced from the reality found in a mirror.

Alexander R. Galloway disagrees with Solomon's interpretation and reads the painting as avoiding questions about how artists build meaning instead of answering them.

Text first published at Wikipedia, July 16, 2023. This latest edited format from May 27, 2024.

Two more known famous versions of Triple Self Portrait exist, both clearly inspired by the theme and style of Rockwell's conception.

Firstly, Australian artist Ahn Do is captured in “Triple Self-Portrait". This painting was created by James Brennan and won the Bald Archy Prize in 2018. Brennan’s piece is a loving tribute to Anh Do, capturing his vibrant personality and achievements.

Triple Self Portrait of Ahn Do by James Brennan, 2018

“Anh Do is an inspiration for me, I admire him for what he has accomplished in his life from his very humble beginnings as a child refugee to a successful author, actor, comedian and artist,” said Brennan. “I love his art, he has his own TV show ‘Anh’s Brush with Fame’ and he has been a finalist for the Archibald Prize. He also has that incredible big smile and happy-go-lucky personality that I wanted to capture."

James Brennen quote from Justine Nguyen's article in Limelight Magazine, March 21, 2018.

Secondly, MAD Magazine published a send-up of Rockwell’s “Triple Self-Portrait” featuring Alfred E. Neuman as the artist and subject. The Neuman character was first used on the cover of MAD by founding editor Harvey Kurtzman in 1954. This particular Rockwell inspired painting is currently being exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum. The exhibition, entitled "What, me worry? The Art and Humour of MAD Magazine," runs from June 8 - October 27, 2024.

Triple Self Portrait for MAD Magazine by Alfred E. Newman (artist and subject)

MAD text first published at Berkshires Week, by Ellen Spear.