Norman Rockwell’s Classic Image of Thanksgiving

The holiday-themed “Freedom From Want” played an important role during World War II and is a testament to Rockwell’s artistic talent.

(L) The Saturday Evening Post print "Freedom From Want" from the painting series "Four Freedoms," 1943, by Norman Rockwell. (R) Rockwell stands beside his large-scale paintings of the "Four Freedoms" at the Municipal Art Gallery in Los Angeles, 1965. Los Angeles Times/CC BY-SA 4.0

Norman Rockwell’s prolific paintings of everyday American life have had a profound impact on the country’s culture, becoming emblematic of its traditions and history. While drawing on the values of the past, his work also addressed the political and social issues of his day. One of his most beloved and well-known images is of a Thanksgiving meal. The 1943 “Freedom From Want” played an important role during World War II and is a testament to Rockwell’s artistic talent.

A portrait of American artist Norman Rockwell sketching in his home studio, circa 1945. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Chronicling America

Rockwell (1894–1978) was born in New York City. He achieved career success soon after graduating from art school. By the age of 19, he was the art director for the Boy Scouts of America’s official publication. In 1916, at only 22, he made his first painting to be used as a cover illustration by The Saturday Evening Post.

Over the course of 47 years, Rockwell executed 321 covers for the popular weekly publication. Full of painstakingly realistic details, they chronicled American idealism and simplicity with wit and sentiment. It is this oeuvre that defines and complicates his artistic legacy. It made him a household name, but some critics categorized his narrative work as illustration, not fine art. In recent years, scholarship has caught up to the general public’s opinion, appreciating Rockwell’s deft technical skill and insight into human nature.

‘Freedom From Want’

The holiday-themed oil-on-canvas “Freedom From Want” is one of a four-part series that includes “Freedom of Speech,” “Freedom of Worship,” and “Freedom From Fear.” These four images were inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union address in which he designated the preservation of these democratic values as essential. The importance of this was elevated by the end of that year, when the United States entered World War II.

Norman Rockwell stands beside his large-scale paintings of the "Four Freedoms" at the Municipal Art Gallery in Los Angeles, 1965. Los Angeles Times/CC BY 4.0

In 1942, eager to contribute to the war efforts, Rockwell pitched “Four Freedoms” as an artistic theme to the Office of War Information (OWI). The discouraging response was, “The last war, you illustrators did the posters. This war, we’re going to use fine arts men, real artists.”

Thankfully, Rockwell’s “Saturday Evening Post” editor loved the idea, instructing the artist to finish the concept in eight weeks. Instead, it took him seven months of work to complete the project in his Arlington, Vermont, studio that was destroyed by a fire just a few months afterward. Each painting was published as a full-page interior illustration along with an accompanying essay.

The paintings went on to be produced as a four-poster series for the war effort, with permission being given to the OWI for their use. Four million sets of the posters were printed. In addition, the OWI toured the paintings throughout the nation, raising $130 million in war bond sales.

“Freedom From Want” shows the gathering of three generations at a dining room table to partake in a Thanksgiving feast. The scene exudes comfortable prosperity. The brilliantly lit room is decorated with verdant wallpaper. At its center is a spotless tablecloth laden with food. The plate of celery, the cranberry sauce, fruit bowl, and covered casserole dish are crowned by a golden turkey that a grandmotherly figure brings to the table.

The Saturday Evening Post print "Freedom From Want" from the painting series "Four Freedoms," 1943, by Norman Rockwell. State Library of Ohio, Columbus. Public Domain

Importantly, the people gathered around smile at each other instead of looking at the food. Their focus is on togetherness and affection, not hunger. There is no want—not for food and not for love. Rockwell’s work conveys that these are ideals worth fighting for, encouraging the public’s commitment to win the war.

Rockwell’s composition positions the viewer as one of the guests. The face at the bottom right, who looks out of the canvas, emphasizes this pointed welcome to join in the abundance. The model for this figure was the artist’s neighbor, Jim Martin.

In fact, the painting is set with figures drawn from both Rockwell’s family and community who posed individually in his studio. These guests include his mother, Nancy Hill Rockwell (second at bottom right); his wife, Mary Barstow Rockwell (second at bottom left); and Mrs. Thaddeus Wheaton, the family’s cook (shown as the matriarch serving the bird).

The painting attests to Rockwell’s fine artistic skill in depicting color, texture, and light. The tablescape’s white china, white tablecloth, and transparent water glasses showcases his technical mastery of white-on-white painting. This reflects the artist’s study of Old Master paintings during his education at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League, both in New York City.

In 1953, Rockwell and his second wife, Mary, moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The town is now home to the Norman Rockwell Museum, which he helped found. Its collection includes the “Four Freedoms.”

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