“Freedom from Want” by Norman Rockwell is a renowned oil on canvas painting completed in 1943. This artwork is a signature piece of the Regionalism art movement, and measures 116.2 by 90 cm. It depicts a genre scene and is part of the “Four Freedoms” series, which illustrates the four fundamental human rights as stated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The artwork is housed at The Norman Rockwell Museum of Stockbridge, preserving its historical and cultural significance.
The artwork portrays a multi-generational family gathered around a dining table for a celebratory meal. At the center, a grandmother is positioning a large, well-cooked turkey on the table, with the grandfather looking on with a benevolent smile. The atmosphere is warm and convivial, exuding a sense of abundance and contentment. Every individual at the table is engaging in social interaction, either looking at the turkey with anticipation or conversing with their neighbors, which reflects the stability and prosperity of a society where the want for food and shelter has been satisfied. Norman Rockwell’s piece captures the essence of familial unity and the quintessential American experience of Thanksgiving, thereby visually interpreting the concept of “freedom from want.”