He used real faces, and each cover told a story at a glance! http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2011/05/14/art-entertainment/rockwell-changed-illustration.html
So, this was Norman Rockwell's first illustration cover for the Saturday Evening Post, back in 1916. Apparently, according to the article there were other illustrators who also made the cover of the magazine. But none of them seem to have the last impact that Norman Rockwell did. I had never even heard of some of these artist, but I had heard of Norman Rockewell. How could I not? His work and covers for The Saturday Evening Post are legendary, he trully left his mark on the world of illustration.