Happy Thanksgiving! - Norman Rockwell - Four Freedoms

Thursday 23rd November 2006 - 12:00:59 PM

GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

The above work of art, created by Norman Rockwell, was one painting in a four part series called Four Freedoms. This depiction of a Thanksgiving dinner is Rockwell’s representation of the “Freedom From Want”. The other three paintings in the series (below) represent “The Freedom of Speech”, “The Freedom of Worship”, and “The Freedom From Fear”.

Norman Percevel Rockwell was born in New York City on February 3, 1894 and grew to become one of 20th century America’s most prolific painters; appealing to a broad audience all over the country. Although he created over 4,000 original works, Norman Rockwell is most notably known for the cover illustrations he did for over forty years, for the weekly general-interest magazine, The Saturday Evening Post. He also painted a Rosie the Riveter (below), although his rendition is the less reproduced of the two given the title.

On November 8, 1978, Norman Rockwell died of emphysema in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He was 84. Most of his original works are either in permanent collections, or, sadly, have been destroyed by fire. Today, mint condition original magazines that contain his work can be worth thousands of dollars, but are incredibly rare.

Several of Norman Rockwell’s paintings have even made their way to Hollywood. The above-mentioned “Freedom From Want” is parodied during the credits at the end of the animated film Lilo and Stitch, with the dinner guests including an African-American man, a native Hawaiian woman and child, and three aliens.

“Freedom from Fear” (also mentioned above), inspired a scene in Empire of the Sun, where loving parents are seen tucking their young son into bed. Later in the movie, the same boy (played by Christian Bale), keeps with him a reproduction of the actual painting while being held captive in a prison camp.

In Witness, the inspiration of Norman Rockwell’s “Saying Grace” (below) can be seen when an Amish mother and child (played by Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas), bow their heads in prayer in a crowded diner.

I’ve enjoyed Norman Rockwell for as long as I can remember and would consider him one of my favorite artists. I have a huge book containing a lot of his paintings and have spent hours studying each one. Because there is so much detail and craft in each piece, it’s easy to miss something with just one glance. The painting on the cover of the book is his “Triple Self-Portrait” (below), and is one of my favorites.

For more information on Norman Rockwell’s life and artwork, visit: Norman Rockwell.com