Piece By Peace

The "Golden Rule" mosaic. UN Photo/Milton Grant.
www.unmultimedia.org

This week the United Nations Headquarters in New York held a rededication ceremony for their large mosaic based on Norman Rockwell's Golden Rule. Created by a group of artists in Venice, Italy, the mosaic was originally presented to the UN in 1985 as a gift from the U.S. by First Lady Nancy Reagan. Five years ago it was taken down for repairs, when it was discovered to contain large cracks that threatened its integrity. I have only been outside of the UN Secretariat Building (for a peace march during the 2010 NPT Review Conference), but several years ago my wife made it in with the League of Women Voters; she says that the mosaic is an impressive sight to behold.  

It is fun to point out that the original Rockwell painting, part of the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum, actually started life as an idea to illustrate the United Nations' humanitarian efforts. Conceived in 1952 and created in 1953, the original drawing included 65 people, representing the nations of the world, standing hopeful behind three UN delegates (USSR, United Kingdom, and United States). Rockwell eventually abandoned this illustration because he felt it seemed pretentious, but eventually incorporated several of its multicultural group of figures into one of his finest works: Golden Rule appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post on April 1, 1961—a colorful and dynamic composition with the inspiring words: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

The restoration for the mosaic was done by Williamstown Art Conservation Center, which has worked on several pieces from Norman Rockwell Museum's collection over the years, including (you guessed it) Rockwell's United Nations drawing. In 2009 I was asked to travel to Williamstown to create a video documenting how the Museum's fragile work was being repaired by conservators. The restoration process for the pencil on paper work included several fascinating steps, including being immersed in an aqueous water treatment (folks, don't try this at home!).

One of my favorite productions I have created for the Museum, here is the final video. It is currently on view at the Museum, along with the restored drawing and final Golden Rule painting.

Related Links: 

“‘Golden Rule,’ iconic Norman Rockwell mosaic, rededicated at UN Headquarters,” 
UN News Centre, February 5, 2014 

"The Golden Rule: Restoring the Norman Rockwell Mosaic at the United Nations,"
Art Conservator, Summer 2013

"Rockwell's 'Golden Rule,'" Norman Rockwell Museum