To those who favor traditional, realist painting, Norman Rockwell is the quintessential 20th century American painter.

He's best known for creating more than 800 magazine covers, most notably for The Saturday Evening Post. His works are among the most expensive American art at auction and over the past several decades he has transcended the illustration art category. Christie's calls him "perhaps the greatest visual mass communicator of the twentieth century" and his images of American life speak to a global audience today.

In 1970, The Franklin Mint, a private mint founded in 1964 that was active in the production of medals, ingots and various collectibles, commissioned Rockwell to create a series of works to promote the company.

The best-known image from the commission, The Collector, is set to be offered at Christie's May 22 American Art auction in New York City. The 1971 painting, which measures 30 by 48 inches, carries an estimate of $700,000 to $1 million.

The commission initially called for Rockwell to create drawings that could be made into collectible plates, medals and figures. Rockwell executed 80 sketches between 1970 and 1975 for the project, and The Collector was one of two oil paintings produced as part of the commission.

The image was reproduced in a limited edition series of lithographs for The Franklin Mint Collectors Society. Today, these lithographs are frequently seen in online auctions at the $30 to $50 level.

It is well known that Rockwell worked from photographs and models, yet utilized substantial creative liberties in composing his paintings. For example, a bust of the firm's namesake, Benjamin Franklin overlooks the scene and Rockwell may have adapted the model bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon to tilt downward.

To read the complete article, see:Norman Rockwell 1971 painting 'The Collector' set for May 22 Christie's auction in New York City(/www.coinworld.com/insights/Rockwells-The-Collector-captures-hobby-scene.html)

To read the complete auction lot description, see:NORMAN ROCKWELL (1894-1978)THE COLLECTOR(www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/norman-rockwell
-the-collector-5793592-details.aspx)