Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms From the Sidney Bray Collection

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell was born in New York City in 1894. In his early teens, he enrolled at the New York School of Art but transferred to the Art Students League in 1910 at age 16, seeking broader opportunities. There, he studied under Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman, from whom he gained essential technical skills that shaped his career.

In his late teens, Rockwell began freelancing for Boys' Life, the official magazine of the Boy Scouts of America. At 21, he and his parents moved to New Rochelle, New York, where he established a studio with fellow artist Clyde Forsythe. A year later, Rockwell painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post, which he regarded as the “greatest show window in America.”

In 1930, Rockwell married his second wife, Mary Barstow; together they had three sons. About a decade later, the family relocated to Arlington, Vermont, where Rockwell’s work began to reflect the charm of small-town America.

Shortly after completing his iconic Four Freedoms series—depicting the freedoms of speech, worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear—Rockwell’s studio was destroyed by fire.

After 47 years with The Saturday Evening Post, Rockwell ended his association with the magazine in 1963 and began working for Look magazine. There, over the next decade, he addressed topics including civil rights, the war on poverty, and space exploration.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter awarded Rockwell the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Rockwell passed away peacefully at home in 1978 at the age of 84.

"Freedom from Fear"

"Freedom from Fear" is one of four paintings in Norman Rockwell’s iconic Four Freedoms series, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union address. The father, holding a folded newspaper with headlines about wartime bombings in Europe, looks on somberly. The contrast between the peaceful American home and the chaos suggested by the newspaper underscores the message—this kind of security and peace is not guaranteed everywhere in the world. Painted during the height of World War II, the work speaks to the privilege and responsibility of freedom. Rockwell's intimate, everyday setting emphasizes that the absence of fear—especially for children—is a deeply human and moral aspiration.

"Freedom from Want"

Freedom from Want represents the fundamental human right to live free from hunger and material deprivation. While food is the focal point of the painting, it also symbolizes security, comfort, and the warmth of family life. Norman Rockwell created this work during World War II as part of his Four Freedoms series, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 speech. At a time when American families were sacrificing daily comforts and rationing food and materials, Rockwell’s painting reminded viewers that the everyday privileges they often took for granted were, in fact, worth defending.

"Freedom of Speech"

The scene depicts a town hall meeting, where a working-class man—dressed plainly in a worn jacket—stands to speak his mind. Those around him, despite differing opinions, listen respectfully. The man’s upright posture and the attentive expressions of the listeners underscore the importance of civic dialogue and mutual respect in a free society. The right to speak freely without fear of censorship or reprisal. Rockwell’s realistic style and focus on ordinary Americans helped viewers connect emotionally with the ideals being defended abroad.

The original painting is on display in the Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room, located in Chambers Library, Room 215.

"Freedom of Worship"

The composition features a group of individuals from diverse religious backgrounds, each quietly engaged in prayer or reflection. Rockwell’s sensitive portrayal emphasizes respect, tolerance, and the personal nature of faith. The close-up, intimate framing invites viewers to consider the importance of spiritual freedom as a fundamental human right. Created during World War II, the painting serves as a powerful reminder of the values at risk in the global conflict and underscores the American commitment to religious liberty.

The original painting is on display in the Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room, located in Chambers Library, Room 215.