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If you're looking for the perfect gift for a pet parent, spend a few moments on At The Vets by Norman Rockwell.

Sometimes called "Boy at the Veterinarian's Office," this classic piece of Americana transports the audience to a familiar and often worrisome moment: the lobby of a veterinarian's office. 

What Makes Rockwell's At The Vets Special?

Norman Rockwell was among America's most famous artists during the 20th century. He is best known for creating more than 300 covers for the Saturday Evening Post. Most of them feature warm, family-friendly topics in a style like realism plus a touch of humorous caricature.  

At The Vets is done in a nearly photo realistic style  (a style that didn't truly exist until the late 1960s.) In crisp detail, Rockwell presents a boy and his puppy with near photographic perfection in the center. Notice how the subject is highlighted by a bright yellow wall and separated from the others in the room. We can appreciate his concern and loneliness as he waits for the veterinarian.  

Next, notice the small details, like the subject's untied shoes and the carefully knotted bandage on the pup. Obviously, he was more concerned with the health of his companion than his appearance, and the audience will find that endearing.   

While we cannot be sure what sort of injury the dog has, some viewers suggest the boy believes his pup may have the mumps. That's because the towel is knotted just the way mothers did for their children in the early 20th century, before the advent of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines. Also, the considerable space given by others in the lobby may support that notion.   

How Rockwell Uses Vivid Colors, Shapes and Lines Move Your Eyes Around a Painting

See how other subjects — both people and pets — all point to the young boy and his dog. They're either gazing at him directly or focused on him with their body language. Rockwell used this technique to make your eyes repeatedly return to the subject. It's fascinating! We keep looking at him, and we must infer the young boy is there alone and terribly concerned about his best friend. 

Then, see that while the subject is painted in very close detail, the others are slightly less detailed and a bit fuzzy. This creates a very soft fish-eye-lense look that you may not pick up until you study the piece for a while. 

Like other Norman Rockwell pieces, the more time you spend on this piece, the more unique details you'll notice.  

It's a Great Piece for Pet Parents

Anyone can enjoy this piece, but we think it would make an outstanding gift for:  

• Pet parents who love their "fur babies"
• Veterinarians, vet techs & their staff
• Pet groomers
• Professional dog breeders
• Dog walkers
• Shelter staff
• Animal rescue volunteers
• And that super helpful friend who watches your dogs while you go on vacation

We Invite You to Shop and Learn About the Classics with Mini Masters Art

You don't need to be an art aficionado to appreciate classics like At The Vets by Norman Rockwell, and you don't need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to enjoy beautiful artwork.   

While we think it's an ideal gift for the pet professional in your life, anyone can quickly understand this piece and become captivated by it.  

If you'd like to present At The Vets as a gift, get in touch! The Mini Masters Art team will help you pick the perfect frame and gift box before we ship it. In the meantime, check out more of our entertaining, educational blogs.  

And if you'd like to find other gifts for pet owners, we have an entire collection of them on our website.