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Ours... to fight for - Freedom from Want

Poster
1943 (made)
Artist/Maker
US Office of War Information (issued by)
Rockwell, Norman (artist)
Place of origin
United States (made)

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. 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
Prints
Propaganda
Posters
Object type
Poster
TitleOurs... to fight for - Freedom from Want (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Printing Ink
Paper
Brief description
"Ours... to fight for - Freedom from Want" by Norman Rockwell. USA, 1943.
Physical description
The setting is an American Thanksgiving table, shown in perspective. The matriarch is setting the turkey on the table, surrounded by place settings and the animated faces of family members. By illustrating an American tradition during which typical families enjoy an abundant meal, Rockwell evocatively creates an image of life free from want.
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
Propaganda
War
Ideology
Freedom
Family
World War II
Place depicted
United States
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. 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.512 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.147-2004

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Record createdOctober 10, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O117557/ours-to-fight-for--poster-rockwell-norman/
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