1943
Norman Rockwell is among the most revered painters of the 20th century. His figurative and portrait paintings reflect an innocent and idyllic America described by the artist as "life as I would like it to be." For nearly 50 years, he illustrated the covers of The Saturday Evening Post in a rich and emotive style that gave distinctive personalities to his imagined characters. In total, Norman Rockwell created more than 4,000 works of art over the course of his life.
Rockwell was born in 1894 in New York City. His artistic aspirations took shape early on, and when he was 14 years old, he took classes at the New York School of the Art, which is now the Parsons School of Design. Later, he attended the Art Students League of New York, where he studied under influential painters Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. While still a teen, Rockwell became art director of the Boy Scouts of America publication Boys' Life.
At 21, Rockwell moved to New Rochelle, New York, and opened a studio with fellow illustrator Victor Clyde Forsythe. He created illustrations for magazines like Literary Digest and Life before his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post was published when he was 22. In 1939, after moving to Arlington, Vermont, Rockwell pivoted to making the nostalgic paintings of small-town and iconic America for which he is best known — scenes of Christmas dinner, children playing in the street and national treasures like Ruby Bridges and Rosie the Riveter.
In 1943, a speech previously given by President Franklin Roosevelt inspired Rockwell to create his most famous series, “The Four Freedoms,” which was exhibited all over the United States. The series included four pieces entitled Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.
Rockwell moved with his family to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 1953, where he spent the rest of his life. My Adventures as an Illustrator — the autobiography Rockwell wrote with the help of his son, Thomas — was published in 1960. In 1963, Rockwell ceased working with The Saturday Evening Post and started drawing illustrations for Look magazine.
The world’s largest collection of original Rockwell art can be found at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. The artist was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, and he passed away peacefully in his home the following year.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of original Norman Rockwell paintings, prints, drawings and other works.
Freedom From Want - The Four Freedoms
By Norman Rockwell
Located in New York, NY
NORMAN ROCKWELL (1894-1978) - The Freedom from want - [from the series THE FOUR FREEDOMS.] 1943. 40x28 1/4inches, 101 1/2x71 3/4 cm. World War II poster U.S. Government Printing Office...
Paper
Untitled (Edition 46/50)
By Thomas Cornell
Located in New York, NY
Thomas Cornell (American b. 1937), "Untitled", Edition 46/50, Figurative Drypoint/ Etching signed and numbered in pencil, 24 x 20, Late 20th Century Colors: Black and White
Etching
Dreamer
By Shelly Fink
Located in New York, NY
Shelly (Sheldon) Fink (American, 1925-2002), "Dreamer" Edition of 150, Lithograph signed on Paper, 14 x 17, Late 20th Century, 1960s Depicts a boy dreaming. Color: Black and White ...
Lithograph
Untitled (Mother Holding Baby)
By John Gilroy
Located in New York, NY
John Thomas Young Gilroy (English, 1898-1985), "Untitled: Mother Holding Baby", Figurative/Academic Drawing signed on Paper, 14 x 8, Early 20th Century Colors: White, Black "Untitled: Mother Holding Baby" is a Figurative/ Academic Drawing signed on Paper. Among our Gilroy collection of drawings, this particular work is unique due to its original grid markings included here within. As one can view among our details, the drawing has visible age markings and 3/4 of the perimeter rear of the work has tape. Nevertheless, as with all his figurative graphite works, a wonderfully drawn piece of a Mother cradling her infant child. John Thomas Young Gilroy (30 May 1898 – 11 April 1985) was an English artist and illustrator, best known for his advertising posters for Guinness, the Irish stout. He signed many of his works, simply, "Gilroy". Born in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England, Gilroy attended Durham University until his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served with the Royal Field Artillery. He resumed studying at the Royal College of Art in London, where he remained as a teacher. He taught at Camberwell College of Arts. In 1925, he gained employment at S.H. Benson's advertising agency, where he created the iconic advertisement art for Guinness featuring the Zoo Keeper and animals enjoying Guinness.He worked with Dorothy L. Sayers. He was also an accomplished portrait painter, numbering Royalty, Politicians, Actors and many others amongst his sitters. He worked in his large studio at 10 Holland Park, London, the former home and studio of Sir Bernard Partridge. He was a long-standing and much loved member of the Garrick Club...
Carbon Pencil
Beach Family
By Shelly Fink
Located in New York, NY
Shelly (Sheldon) Fink (American, 1925-2002), "Beach Family" Edition of 125, Lithograph signed on Paper, 14 x 17, Late 20th Century, 1963 Depicts family in swimsuits and towels on a h...
Lithograph
No Left Turn
By Shelly Fink
Located in New York, NY
Sheldon Fink (American, 1925-2002), "No Lrft Turn" Artist Proof, Lithograph signed on Paper, 14 x 17, Late 20th Century, 1969 Depicts a 'fictional' New York City intersection, with a...
Lithograph
Original Freedom from Want 1943 vintage poster. Thanksgiving
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Spokane, WA
Original vintage poster: FREEDOM FROM WANT, Ours to fight for ... Original. Artist: Normal Rockwell. Archival linen backed in fine condition, ready to frame. Note: All US Go...
Offset
"Ours... To Fight For. Freedom from Want" Vintage WWII Poster by Norman Rockwell
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original 1943 War Bonds poster by Norman Rockwell, illustrating “Freedom from Want.” The poster is one of the four iconic War Bonds posters by Norman Rockwell. The se...
Paper
Freedom From Fear original 1943 Four Freedoms vintage poster
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Spokane, WA
Original World War II "Freedom from Fear" Ours ... To fight for by Rockwell. One of the 4 freedom posters created in 1943 by Norman Rockwell. Fre...
Offset
Save Freedom of Worship original 1943 Four Freedoms vintage poster
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Spokane, WA
Original poster: Save Freedom of Worship (S) Artist: Normal Rockwell. Archival linen backed. Original fold marks touched up at the time of b...
Offset
Freedom Of Speech, American Realist Offset Print by Norman Rockwell
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Freedom Of Speech by Norman Rockwell, (1894 - 1978) Date: circa 1973 Medium: Collotype Poster Size: 35 x 29 in. (88.9 x 73.66 cm) Publisher: Circle Gallery, Ltd. Printer: Arthur Ja...
Offset
Freedom Of Worship, American Realist Offset Print by Norman Rockwell
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Freedom Of Worship by Norman Rockwell, (1894 - 1978) Date: circa 1973 Medium: Collotype Poster Size: 35 x 29.5 in. (88.9 x 74.93 cm)
Offset
