"Four Freedoms" Set of 4 Norman Rockwell World War II Bond Posters, circa 1942

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"Four Freedoms" Set of 4 Norman Rockwell World War II Bond Posters, circa 1942

About the Item

Each of these four War Bonds posters by Norman Rockwell is a visual representation of the closing remarks of President Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union speech. Delivered to Congress on January 6, 1941, Roosevelt painted his vision for a post-war world, one in which every human was guaranteed basic freedoms: “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings, which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.” - President Franklin D. Roosevelt, January 6, 1941. Upon hearing the speech, painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell decided to lend his artistic talents to the war effort and set out to paint all four freedoms. This inspiration took the form of small-town scenes like town meetings and church services. Rockwell prepared rough sketches in 1942 and then traveled to Washington meet with the Ordinance Department of the U. S. Army in hopes of gaining a commission for the work. The Department had no money to back Rockwell’s idea. Not to be dismayed, Rockwell scheduled a meeting with the publisher of the popular Saturday Evening Post, Curtis Publishing Company, on his way back to Vermont. The editor, Ben Hibbs, agreed to publish Rockwell’s paintings as full covers and gave him three months paid time to work on the paintings. The popularity of the four covers prompted over 25,000 requests for reprints. In May 1943, the Saturday Evening Post and the Treasury Department launched a joint campaign to sell war bonds and stamps, using the four freedoms imagery. This campaign included a traveling exhibition of the original Four Freedoms paintings, accompanied by other cartoons, sketches and original manuscripts, to sixteen cities across the United States. Bonds were sold in denominations of $25, $100, and $1,000. Each person who purchased a bond received a set of prints of the four paintings. Thanks to the exhibition, 133 million dollars in war bonds and stamps were purchased. Concurrently, the Office of War Information printed sets of posters of the four paintings. Each poster was printed with the words “Buy War Bonds” and the sets were distributed in United States schools and institutions, as well as overseas. These posters, original 1943 color lithographs, illustrate the four freedoms. Freedom of Speech: The poster reads “SAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH/ BUY WAR BONDS” and depicts a man expressing his opinion at a town hall meeting. Freedom of Worship: The poster reads “SAVE FREEDOM OF WORSHIP/ BUY WAR BONDS” and depicts a gathering of individuals in joint prayer. Across the image reads the line “Each According to the Dictates of His Own Conscience” in white block text. Freedom from Want: The poster reads “OURS… to fight for/ FREEDOM FROM WANT” and depicts a warm and bountiful family meal. Freedom from Fear: The poster reads “OURS… to fight for/ FREEDOM FROM FEAR” and depicts a husband and wife tucking their children safely into bed, in a peaceful domestic setting. Condition: These original color lithographs are in very good condition. Color is original and still vibrant. Original fold lines and creases slightly visible. Paper is healthy with no tears or foxing marks. The posters are conservation mounted and linen backed. Posters measure 28"H x 20"W each. The posters have been artfully framed to conservation standards in custom, matching, black wooden frames. Framed dimensions: 31 1/2" H x 23" W x 1 1/2" D each.

Creator:
Norman Rockwell (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1940-1949
Date of Manufacture:
1943
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Colorado Springs, CO
Reference Number:
Seller: P1301stDibs: LU909711812033

Shop All Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell is among the most revered painters of the 20th century. His figurative and portrait paintings reflect an innocent and idyllic America described by the artist as "life as I would like it to be." For nearly 50 years, he illustrated the covers of The Saturday Evening Post in a rich and emotive style that gave distinctive personalities to his imagined characters. In total, Norman Rockwell created more than 4,000 works of art over the course of his life.

Rockwell was born in 1894 in New York City. His artistic aspirations took shape early on, and when he was 14 years old, he took classes at the New York School of the Art, which is now the Parsons School of Design. Later, he attended the Art Students League of New York, where he studied under influential painters Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. While still a teen, Rockwell became art director of the Boy Scouts of America publication Boys' Life.

At 21, Rockwell moved to New Rochelle, New York, and opened a studio with fellow illustrator Victor Clyde Forsythe. He created illustrations for magazines like Literary Digest and Life before his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post was published when he was 22. In 1939, after moving to Arlington, Vermont, Rockwell pivoted to making the nostalgic paintings of small-town and iconic America for which he is best known — scenes of Christmas dinner, children playing in the street and national treasures like Ruby Bridges and Rosie the Riveter.

In 1943, a speech previously given by President Franklin Roosevelt inspired Rockwell to create his most famous series, “The Four Freedoms,” which was exhibited all over the United States. The series included four pieces entitled Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.

Rockwell moved with his family to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 1953, where he spent the rest of his life. My Adventures as an Illustrator — the autobiography Rockwell wrote with the help of his son, Thomas — was published in 1960. In 1963, Rockwell ceased working with The Saturday Evening Post and started drawing illustrations for Look magazine.

The world’s largest collection of original Rockwell art can be found at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. The artist was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, and he passed away peacefully in his home the following year.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of original Norman Rockwell paintings, prints, drawings and other works.