Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case 3G, Shelf DR2

Ours... to fight for. Freedom From Fear

Poster
1943 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Rockwell used his neighbours in Vermont as models for four poster designs interpreting the four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These were principles which President Roosevelt had outlined in a speech in January 1941. The aim of the posters was to inspire people through the emotionally and morally charged images of the America they were fighting for. Here he uses children to engage feelings of protection and responsibility. The posters proved so popular that the Treasury mounted a touring exhibition of the original artwork in aid of war bond sales.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleOurs... to fight for. Freedom From Fear (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph
Brief description
Second World War poster published by the US Office of War Information (Norman Rockwell, 1943)
Physical description
This poster shows a peaceful domestic scene, rendered with Norman Rockwell's characteristic style of nearly photographic accuracy and detail. A husband and wife tuck their two children into bed. The husband stands erect, watching over the children as well as his wife, who bends over the sleeping bodies to adjust the bed linen. A soft raking light can be seen in the upper left corner. Some of the children's toys are strewn on the floor. Black text printed in the white margins above and below the image.
Dimensions
  • Height: 102.6cm
  • Width: 72.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • OURS... to fight for (printed in black on white across upper margin)
  • FREEDOM FROM FEAR (printed in black on white across lower margin)
  • Norman Rockwell (printed in dark lettering within the image's lower left corner)
Credit line
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
Production
Saturday Evening post cover
Subjects depicted
Summary
Rockwell used his neighbours in Vermont as models for four poster designs interpreting the four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These were principles which President Roosevelt had outlined in a speech in January 1941. The aim of the posters was to inspire people through the emotionally and morally charged images of the America they were fighting for. Here he uses children to engage feelings of protection and responsibility. The posters proved so popular that the Treasury mounted a touring exhibition of the original artwork in aid of war bond sales.
Other number
LS.514 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.76-2004

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Record createdJune 24, 2004
Record URL
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