Famous Art for the Pandemic
Update 03 July 2025: This post was initially published during the 2020/2021 COVID pandemic. As an art history professor, world traveler and lover of great art and art museums, I set out to connect famous art with what was going on in the world around us. First posted on Face Book, it moved into the creation of this website. Click here for additional postings on a Year in the Life of the Pandemic.
“Freedom from Fear”
Norman Rockwell, American illustrator, 1942
Norman Rockwell’s folksy illustrations were an inspiration to our country during a critical time when we needed some comfort–and humor!
Freedom from Fear
Freedom from Fear reminds me of our time together as families. The ongoing national–and world–COVID-19 crisis with its shutdown and shelter-in-place policies has made us realize how important the comfort and security of home, family and faith are for all of us. It is sad that a worldwide crisis has forced us to stay at home, cancel all of the activities of our busy lives, was what it takes to get us to re-connect with family and reevaluate our priorities.
As we slowly move towards a semblance of normalcy someday–whatever that might be–let us not forget to remember and maintain some of the good that has come out of the bad, remembering the old adage to “make lemonade out of lemons.”
Freedom from Fear also reminds me of the ongoing polarization our country is facing regarding topics such as racism, law enforcement, immigration, politics, etc. and the fear that has brought upon many of us. It is a human desire to have Freedom from Fear.
Norman Rockwell’s illustrations on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, also provided exposure and a weekly diet of good art for the common, everyday man! Prior to this, good art could only be seen in museums in big cities.
“Freedom from Fear” is the last of Norman Rockwell’s “Four Freedoms” published in 1943 during World War II depicts American children being tucked into bed by their parents while the Blitz raged in Great Britain.
Freedom from Want
Most familiar of these Four Freedoms is “Freedom from Want” with the family around a big turkey at Thanksgiving table. See more on this painting in my Thanksgiving blog.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Speech was the first to be published. It is in the collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum.
Freedom to Worship
“Freedom to Worship” is the fourth of the series.
If you are traveling to Boston, Massachusetts, USA, a worthwhile side trip to consider is to Stockbridge, Massachusetts to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum www.nrm.org
All four are oil paintings and are 45 3/4″ x 35 1/2″ in size.
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