Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Freedom from Want
Oil on canvas
1943
45.67" x 35.43"
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachussetts
Here's how I analyzed the painting in a post in 2005:
Freedom from Want. By Norman Rockwell, 1943-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The grandfather is the center, both pictorially and actually - there is no ambiguity about that.
2. The picture is designed in the classic pyramidal fashion, with the important figures at the top of the pyramid (grandfather and grandmother) and the rest of family widening out to the base.
3. ...Rockwell has brought nature into to the family, with the turkey, fruits and vegetables all laid out on the table. Rockwell's Nature is really abundant.
4. All the food follows the central and important axis, with the grandfather at the top.
5. Although we are indoors, there is a sense of space and light. The elongated perspective of the table with its white tablecloth connects with the white curtains on the window, which in turn promises to take us out into the sunny mid-day exterior.
6. Finally, this family seems to be fully enjoying the moment. And even the one person looking at us is doing so with a sense of fun and mischief...
Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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