“Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I’ve always called myself an illustrator. I’m not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life. ” - Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell passed away more than thirty years ago, but art critics are still discussing whether he was a fine artist or an illustrator. However, everyone can agree that he was America’s best-loved painter. He was a storyteller who told stories with paint, and they are stories that Americans love.
In Rockwell’s paintings, America is a unique and beautiful place. His Americans are brave in quiet, everyday ways. They are hard-working, generous, religious, and warm-hearted. They have happy families and live in peaceful, friendly communities.
Is this who we are? Probably not.
Is this who we used to be? I don’t know.
It is a dream of who we want to be. If you are interested in understanding Americans, study Norman Rockwell. His paintings will show you our mythology – the American Dream.
This painting is called “Freedom from Want.” It depicts a family ready to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast. It’s part of a series called “The Four Freedoms.” Rockwell’s inspiration for the series was a speech by President Roosevelt:
In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look
forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.The first is freedom of speech and expression
– everywhere in the world.The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his
own way — everywhere in the world.The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world
terms, means economic understandings which will secure to
every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants
– everywhere in the world.The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into
world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments
to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation
will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression
against any neighbor — anywhere in the world.- Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
excerpted from the Annual Message to the Congress,
January 6, 1941
To learn more about Norman Rockwell, listen to this VOA Learning English recording, “Norman Rockwell’s Art Told Stories About American Life.”
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Who is the best-loved artist of your country?
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