| Artist | Norman Rockwell |
|---|---|
| Year | 1943 |
| Type | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 116.2 cm × 90 cm (45.75 in × 35.5 in) |
| Location | Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts United States |
Freedom from Want or The Thanksgiving Picture is one of Four Freedoms paintings by Norman Rockwell that were inspired by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the State of the Union Address, known as Four Freedoms, he delivered to the 77th United States Congress on January 6, 1941.[1] The other paintings in this series were Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom of Worship.
Freedom from Want was published in the March 6, 1943, issue of The Saturday Evening Post with a matching essay by Carlos Bulosan as part of the Four Freedoms series.[2] The image was included as the cover image of the 1946 book Norman Rockwell, Illustrator, written when Rockwell was "at the height of his fame as America's most popular illustrator."[3] Rockwell claims to have painted the Turkey on Thanksgiving, and unlike Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Worship, this painting was not difficult to execute.[4]
Of the four paintings, this is the one most often seen in art books with critical review and commentary. The painting has become a nostaligic symbol of an enduring American theme of holiday celebration.[3] Although all four images were intended to promote patriotism in a time of war, Freedom from Want, which depicts an elderly couple serving a fat turkey to what looks like a table of happy and eager children and grandchildren has given the idealized Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving work as important a place in the enduring marketplace of promoting family togetherness, peace and plenty as Hallmark at Christmas.[5] Outside of the United States, this image is perceived as a depiction of American overabundance.[4] This painting depicts the common positive Rockwell themes of American prosperity and dependability for a generation who looked to Rockwell to appeal to their traditional values. This image of family life is an example of the regionalism and idealism that dominate Rockwell's work.[6] Rockwell summed up his own form of idealism best: "I paint life as I would like it to be."[7]
The painting represents the theme of family continuity, virtue, homeliness and abundance without extravagance in a Puritan tone (as confirmed by water as the modest beverage choice).[8] The abundance and unity it shows were the idyllic hope of a post-war world and this image has endured for generations of reproductions.[5] One of the esteemed elements of the image is his use of white on white.[4]
This image's iconic status has led to parody and satire. New York painter Frank Moore re-created Rockwell's all-white Americans with an ethnically diverse family, as "Freedom to Share" (1994), in which the turkey platter was brimming over with healthcare supplies.[9] Among the better known reproductions is Mickey and Minnie Mouse entertaining their cartoon family with a festive turkey. Several political cartoons and even frozen vegetable advertisements have invoked this image.[4] In The Walt Disney Company film Lilo & Stitch, a montage of images prior to the end credits includes an homage of Freedom from Want featuring the characters of the film.[10]