“Freedom From Want”

IN THIS, THE THIRD OF “The Four Freedoms” Rockwell used every visual device available to him -- from the happy expression on the faces of the gathered family to the sunlight gleaming on the China -- to convey the full meaning of “Freedom from Want”.

The occasion appears to be Thanksgiving, in itself a celebration of this particular freedom, and a grandmother places a turkey, that most American of birds, on a white tablecloth before her children and grandchildren. Her husband, an approving look on his face, waits to demonstrate his skill with the carving knife.

Again, Rockwell is at pains to make it clear that he sees the United States as the home of “The Four Freedoms”. The fact that this canvas was painted at a time when rationing was in force must have made it all the more effective.