The Norman Rockwell Museum, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, has collected American illustration art for almost two decades, adding to Rockwell’s own collection of artwork by prominent illustrators. In 2017, noted American illustrator Anne Bascove — known professionally by the mononym, Bascove — generously donated more than 500 original illustrations and studies to the museum’s Permanent Collection of Illustration Art.

The Third Life of Grange Copeland © Bascove

Celebrating this important acquisition, a special collection highlight exhibition will be on view through June 5, entitled Bascove: The Time We Spend with Words. Bascove is a master printmaker, illustrator, painter and collagist, best known for her striking woodcut book jackets and magazine illustrations, as well as for her series of paintings and drawings of the bridges of New York City. Her illustrations have graced the pages of many publications, including The New York Times, Redbook, Travel & Leisure and others.

The Waves © Bascove

This exhibition will feature Bascove’s art from some of the most significant literary works of our time, including examples of her creative process — from sketch to wood block carving and final illustration. The exhibition also features a video interview with the artist and an audio tour.

Bascove is a New York City-based artist born in Philadelphia, where she received her B.A. from the Philadelphia College of Art.

Strange Things Happen Here © Bascove

“From an early age I learned that the world only makes sense to me through art,” she said. “My love of my city and fascination with science, architecture, and literature has always driven my explorations. I love to share that curiosity and exhilaration through my work.”

In the late 1970s Bascove lived by the Seine River in Paris, where she began drawing bridges, an obsession that only intensified on her return to NYC.