Exhibit Spotlight: Joseph Csatari
Joseph Csatari passed away on April 14, 2025. As a tribute to his contribution to Scouting, we wanted to honor his legacy and the work he left behind.
Here are some examples of the amazing work he did for Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, that are on display at the World Scouting Museum. While you can view these works here, to truly enjoy the artistry and illustration of Joseph Csatari we ask that you visit the Museum in person.
The Life and Times of Joseph Csatari
Born in South River, New Jersey, the son of John and Emma Csatari. Csatari was a realist artist who worked with Norman Rockwell. In his youth, Csatari had painstakingly recreated Saturday Evening Post covers that Rockwell had painted. In 1977, shortly before Rockwell died, Csatari was commissioned as the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) official artist.
Csatari studied art at the Academy of Arts, Newark, New Jersey, and also at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. In 1953, he became an artist in the layout division in BSA Supply Division’s advertising department. In 1958, he became the art director of the BSA. Like his mentor, Rockwell, he also served as art director of Boys’ Life magazine at the beginning of his career, and he was named to that position in 1973. Csatari’s job was to come up with possible themes for the paintings and make rough sketches for Rockwell. Once Rockwell decided on a concept, Csatari would gather models and bring them up for a photo shoot in the Rockwell’s studio in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Csatari often assisted Rockwell on his work, as by then, Rockwell was aging.
In 1976, when Rockwell retired from the calendar commission, the BSA asked Csatari to continue in the Rockwell tradition. Since the 1977 BSA calendar, Csatari made 24 paintings for the Boy Scouts of America, including a painting commemorating the endowment program’s 1910 Society. In 1997, an exhibit of these paintings toured the United States at fund-raising events in local councils throughout the country. Though it’s not well known, Csatari also painted more than 10 official portraits of BSA presidents and Chief Scout Executives during his career.
Csatari became a freelance artist in 1977 and painted for many magazines and companies, as well as having painted designs for two U.S. postage stamps and several book covers. He lived in South River, New Jersey, where he maintained an art studio at his home, and had a wife and three children.
He received several awards of excellence in Editorial Art Directing from the Society of Illustrators, New York. In early June 2005, Csatari was awarded Scouting America’s highest honor, the Silver Buffalo Award.
Check out the Daisy Doll and Steve Scout Podcast on Joseph Csatari!
Check out this Lecture from Jeff Csatari, son of Joseph Csatari, at the Medici Museum of Art
Check out this short interview with Joseph Csatari from the National Scouting Museum Docents YouTube Page!
Check out this video on Joseph Csatari from the National Scouting Museum YouTube Page!
Click this button to view an article featuring Joseph Csatari from the Saturday Evening Post
Check out this book written by Joseph Csatari and his son Jeff Csatari about Norman Rockwell, available on Amazon
View the World Scouting Museum Monthly Newsletter that features Joseph Csatari
The World Scouting Museum would like to honor Joseph Csatari for his contributions to Scouting, Art, and Illustration. We are honored to be surrounded by his amazing artwork, which inspires us to lead Scouts, impact our community, and change the world. Without Csatari’s artistic vision, Scouting would be a duller place, less active and alive. The last great Scouting Artist has been called home to the campsite in the sky, but until we meet again, we will have your amazing work to appreciate. Rest In Peace Joseph Csatari.
