Marriage License By Norman Rockwell

The painting “Marriage License” by Norman Rockwell that was painted in 1955 displays a young couple commemorating their love to each other. The main focal point of the painting is a young, white couple. This is expected because in 1955 men and women were expected to get married at a young age and to start a family right away. This was the social norm. It was also during a time period were racism still occurred and in many states interracial marriage was even illegal, which is why the focal point was a young, white couple. The young girl in the painting is a petite, light haired young lady in a bright yellow dress. The color yellow offers and symbolizes hope, cheerfulness, positivity, and enthusiasm and also enhances concentration. Having the girl in the center of the painting wearing a yellow dress causes people to look at it with concentration, especially when it is contrasted with a dark background.
Contrasting the happy, in love, almost married couple is a single man opposite to the in the picture along with his cat close by to him. It is said that as a symbol cats are the premiere of becoming independent (i.e. cat ladies). In the background you also find a single, red rose placed in front of the bright window pane. Red roses show love, beauty, courage among other things, but specifically a single red rose means “I love you”. This is important because you have both sunshine, which is a bright symbol and a single red rose, exemplifying love in the painting. Overall this painting uses a brilliant focal point, with subtle hints using symbols of love and happiness paired against a dark background to exaggerate those