Iconic Norman Rockwell Painting Donated To Museum

One of Norman Rockwell's most recognizable works has been donated to the Stockbridge museum dedicated to his work.

"Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon (Puppy Love)," originally painted as a cover illustration for an April 1926 Saturday Evening Post, was given last week to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.

Jeremy Clowe, the museum's spokesperson, told WBUR the work brought three times the normal amount of visitors over Valentine's Day weekend.

"We're just very excited about this new addition to the permanent collection," Clowe said. "It's an important work to show that stage of Rockwell's career, and certainly has found a great home here."

The illustration depicts a young boy and girl sitting on a bench and looking at the moon, their backs facing the viewer. The boy has his arm around the girl's waist, and a puppy sits behind them.

Bill Millis, of High Point, North Carolina, bought the original in 1975 for $27,000. It's now worth an estimated $4 million.

He tells The Berkshire Eagle he considered selling it, but decided to donate it to the museum he has visited many times.

With reporting by the WBUR Newsroom and The Associated Press.