The artwork “Thanksgiving Mother and Son Peeling Potatoes” is a captivating oil on canvas genre painting created by Norman Rockwell in 1945. Measuring 85 x 89 cm, this piece is exemplary of the Regionalism art movement. Currently, the artwork is housed within a private collection, reflecting the intimacy and domesticity often associated with Rockwell’s scenes.
This particular painting by Rockwell portrays a heartwarming domestic scene, synonymous with the artist’s quintessentially American style. A mother and her soldier son are seated at a kitchen table, fully engrossed in the task of peeling potatoes, presumably in preparation for a Thanksgiving meal. The mother, dressed in a patterned blouse and skirt with a white apron, smiles gently as she works, emanating a sense of warmth and maternal affection. Her son, donning a military uniform adorned with an “AAF” shoulder patch, indicative of the Army Air Forces, partakes in the task with a look of concentration, possibly even reflection, on his face.
Their surroundings are rich with details that tell a broader story of the times and the holiday they are preparing for. The use of vibrant colors and meticulous details, such as the harvest produce and the ornate wallpaper, ground the painting in a specific time and place. The scene is also subtly framed by the diamond pattern on the wall, which creates a sense of depth and emphasizes the familial connection between the figures—the maternal figure and her returning soldier son sharing a quiet, mundane moment amidst the grander narrative of war and reunion.
The table is covered with a checkered cloth, and the presence of a pumpkin suggests the seasonal context of the painting. The artwork exemplifies the very essence of Thanksgiving through its portrayal of family togetherness and the simple, yet significant, rituals that bind loved ones. The emphasis on the domestic setting and everyday activities reflects the Regionalist movement’s focus on scenes from rural American life and the value found in common experiences.