Mermaid of the Moment: A Fair Catch by Norman Rockwell

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A Fair Catch, Norman Rockwell, Saturday Evening Post, August 20, 1955.

This mermaid by Norman Rockwell graced the Saturday Evening Post on August 20, 1955. His reference for the painting included an 81-year-old Gloucester, MA lobsterman, a professional female model from New York City (it would have been too scandalous to ask a neighbor to pose nude) and a 12 pound pollack from the Berkshire Fish Company. He photographed the fish, then gave it to a local restauranteur who served the resulting fish fillets for two days.