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Learn MoreIt's a Boy's Life by Joseph Csatari
- It’s a Boy’s Life stands as a heartfelt celebration of American boyhood
- The work was created by Joseph Csatari, the protégé of Norman Rockwell
- Csatari was one of only two official artists in the history of the Boy Scouts of America
- The vibrant oil on canvas captures the camaraderie and moral framework that defined generations of young men
- Get complete item description here
$98,500
Item No.
32-1957
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Description
Joseph Csatari
1929–2025 | American
It’s a Boy’s Life
Signed "Csatari" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
A vibrant celebration of the Scouting movement, It’s a Boy’s Life stands as a heartfelt celebration of American boyhood. Created by Joseph Csatari, the protégé of Norman Rockwell and one of only two official artists in the history of the Boy Scouts of America, the painting captures the camaraderie and moral framework that defined generations of. . .
1929–2025 | American
It’s a Boy’s Life
Signed "Csatari" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
A vibrant celebration of the Scouting movement, It’s a Boy’s Life stands as a heartfelt celebration of American boyhood. Created by Joseph Csatari, the protégé of Norman Rockwell and one of only two official artists in the history of the Boy Scouts of America, the painting captures the camaraderie and moral framework that defined generations of. . .
Read More
Joseph Csatari
1929–2025 | American
It’s a Boy’s Life
Signed "Csatari" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
A vibrant celebration of the Scouting movement, It’s a Boy’s Life stands as a heartfelt celebration of American boyhood. Created by Joseph Csatari, the protégé of Norman Rockwell and one of only two official artists in the history of the Boy Scouts of America, the painting captures the camaraderie and moral framework that defined generations of young men.
The composition depicts three Boy Scouts gathered at a woodland campsite, their attention fixed on a shared copy of Boys’ Life magazine with the iconic Joe Montana on its cover. Clad in tan uniforms adorned with merit badges and red neckerchiefs, the scouts sit beside a campfire surrounded by a yellow canvas tent, green packs and cookware. Csatari’s naturalistic style and meticulous attention to detail imbue the scene with warmth and narrative clarity.
Joseph Csatari occupies a singular place in American illustration. As a boy, he meticulously recreated Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers, an early devotion that would later define his career. Csatari went on to work closely with Rockwell, assisting him during his later years and serving as art director of Boys’ Life magazine beginning in 1973. In 1977, following Rockwell’s retirement from the Boy Scout calendar commission, Csatari was named the official artist of the Boy Scouts of America—an honor shared by only himself and Rockwell. Through his work, Csatari honors Scouting as a moral compass rooted in service, integrity and fellowship.
Painted 1986
Canvas: 31 5/8" high x 23 1/2" wide (80.33 x 59.69 cm)
Frame: 37 1/4" high x 29 1/4" wide x 2 1/4" deep (94.62 x 74.30 x 5.72 cm)
Literature:
J. Csatari, Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America, New York, 2009, p. 124, illustrated.
Provenance:
Collection of the Boy Scouts of America
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
1929–2025 | American
It’s a Boy’s Life
Signed "Csatari" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
A vibrant celebration of the Scouting movement, It’s a Boy’s Life stands as a heartfelt celebration of American boyhood. Created by Joseph Csatari, the protégé of Norman Rockwell and one of only two official artists in the history of the Boy Scouts of America, the painting captures the camaraderie and moral framework that defined generations of young men.
The composition depicts three Boy Scouts gathered at a woodland campsite, their attention fixed on a shared copy of Boys’ Life magazine with the iconic Joe Montana on its cover. Clad in tan uniforms adorned with merit badges and red neckerchiefs, the scouts sit beside a campfire surrounded by a yellow canvas tent, green packs and cookware. Csatari’s naturalistic style and meticulous attention to detail imbue the scene with warmth and narrative clarity.
Joseph Csatari occupies a singular place in American illustration. As a boy, he meticulously recreated Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers, an early devotion that would later define his career. Csatari went on to work closely with Rockwell, assisting him during his later years and serving as art director of Boys’ Life magazine beginning in 1973. In 1977, following Rockwell’s retirement from the Boy Scout calendar commission, Csatari was named the official artist of the Boy Scouts of America—an honor shared by only himself and Rockwell. Through his work, Csatari honors Scouting as a moral compass rooted in service, integrity and fellowship.
Painted 1986
Canvas: 31 5/8" high x 23 1/2" wide (80.33 x 59.69 cm)
Frame: 37 1/4" high x 29 1/4" wide x 2 1/4" deep (94.62 x 74.30 x 5.72 cm)
Literature:
J. Csatari, Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America, New York, 2009, p. 124, illustrated.
Provenance:
Collection of the Boy Scouts of America
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Read Less
Specifications
| Maker: | Csatari, Joseph |
| Period: | 1919-Present |
| Origin: | America |
| Type: | Paintings |
| Style: | Illustration |
| Depth: | 2.25 in. (5.72 cm) |
| Width: | 29.25 in. (74.3 cm) |
| Height: | 37.25 in. (94.62 cm) |
| Canvas Width: | 23.500 in. (59.69 cm) |
| Canvas Height: | 31.625 in. (80.33 cm) |
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Buy with Confidence
At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More
