Thanksgiving Art… Artistic Tributes to Thanksgiving, America, and Our Military
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving… a day for thanks to God, and for counting one’s blessings and the bounty given to us by God. And, of course, preparing and sharing a huge feast with family and friends, usually with turkey as the main dish.
Despite the numerous trials our nation has experienced this past year, there is still so much for which we should be thankful. Our nation has seen many bleak and worrisome times through out its history… Americans have always risen to the challenge, as I’m confident we’ll do now. Our country is the shining jewel of the world, the greatest tribute to human liberties and freedom. The Pilgrims embarked on a journey to find a land where they could live without government oppression, and after a long voyage and a treacherous, deadly first winter at Plymouth Rock, felt blessed by God for the bountiful crops they grew the next year. Thanksgiving should not only remind us of what we have as a nation, but for what we must protect and preserve.
Thanksgiving is an American and a Canadian holiday. The Canadian Thanksgiving date differs from the US Thanksgiving date because in Canada, Thanksgiving was not derived from the Pilgrims, but symbolized the end of a successful harvest. Because of the northerly location of Canada, their harvest season ends earlier. The designated date for Canadian Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday in October. In 2009, Thanksgiving in Canada was on October 12.
Thanksgiving has been commemorated in art and pop culture for many years. Here are some of those depictions over the centuries… a nostalgic look at America’s Thanksgiving.
'The First Thanksgiving,' artist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930)
Artist Robert Walter Weir, 'The Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delfthaven in Holland' (1844)
'Thanksgiving,' artist Doris Lee, c. 1935
Artist Charles Dana Gibson’s “Thanksgiving Nov. 1903″ was on the cover of Life magazine… it’s an odd one, with a baby on the platter. Honestly, I don’t get it, but it must have been intended to be humorous. Maybe.
Life magazine cover 1903, artist Charles Dana Gibson
This Thanksgiving watercolor was by artist Alice Barber Stephens. It appeared in the US periodical “Harper’s Weekly” on November 28, 1896. Conspicuous consumption and overindulgence was an issue even back then.
'Over-indulgence--A Spoiled Thanksgiving,' by artist Alice Barber Stephens, Harper's Weekly, November 28, 1896
Artist Albert D. Blashfield’s “Thanksgiving 1900″ graced the cover of Life magazine.
Life's 1900 Thanksgiving issue, artist Albert D. Blashfield
November 23, 1893 Life magazine cover, “Thanksgiving Number” by artist Lee Woodward Ziegler.
Life magazine's Thanksgiving cover in 1893, 'Thanksgiving Number' by artist Lee Woodward Ziegler
William Balfour Ker’s artwork was featured on the November 27, 1904 issue of Life.
Life 1904 magazine cover, by artist William Balfour Ker
The Ladies’ Home Journal’s 1902 Thanksgiving cover used the artwork of E. A. Abbey.
The Ladies' Home Journal's 1902 Thanksgiving cover, artist E. A. Abbey
“Vegetarian’s Thanksgiving” was showcased on the 1901 cover of Life magazine, artist unknown.
Life magazine's 1901 Thanksgiving cover, 'Vegetarian's Thanksgiving,' artist unknown
Life magazine’s November 6, 1919 issue, “Thanksgiving Number” by artist B. Cory Kilvert.
Life's November 6, 1919 cover, 'Thanksgiving Number' by artist B. Cory Kilvert
Thanksgiving 1944 cover of The New Yorker, featuring artist Mary Petty.
The New Yorker's 1944 Thanksgiving cover, by artist Mary Petty
Jumping ahead nearly six decades, this Thanksgiving 2001 cover of Time magazine followed the horrific 9/11 terrorist attack on New York City and the Pentagon.
The most famous of Thanksgiving album covers is this one of the original 1967 album, Alice’s Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie. His famous, lengthy song about Alice’s restaurant was about his wild escapades on Thanksgiving Day.
Album cover for the original 1967 album 'Alice's Restaurant' by Arlo Guthrie.
A defunct magazine in the 1960s for teen girls, this issue’s cover of “Calling All Girls” depicts a teen’s view of Thanksgiving.
'Calling All Girls' Thanksgiving issue, 1962
One of the most prolific American artists ever was Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), who painted thousands of paintings during his lifetime. His homey, Americana paintings earned him the nickname “The People’s Painter,” and his poignant paintings graced numerous magazine covers over many decades. In addition to his beloved covers for Saturday Evening Post, Rockwell is also noted for his work for the Boy Scouts of America, producing covers for their publication Boys’ Life and other illustrations. His magazine-cover creations here captured his visions of Thanksgiving.
This first Rockwell painting appeared on the 1917 cover of The Country Gentleman, and was titled “Cousin Reginald Catches the Thanksgiving Turkey.” In all, Rockwell painted fifteen humorous covers featuring Cousin Reginald and related characters. This was the sixth in the popular series. Cousin Reginald was always having misfortunes caused by his unfamiliarity with “country” ways, as seen here by his inability to catch the turkey for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Norman Rockwell's 1917 cover on The Country Gentleman, titled 'Cousin Reginald Catches the Thanksgiving Turkey.'
Literary Digest’s November 22, 1919 cover, featuring Norman Rockwell’s “Thanksgiving.”
Norman Rockwell's 'Thanksgiving,' on the cover of Literary Digest in 1919
This WWII painting “Thanksgiving Blues,” showing the exhaustion of a military cook making Thanksgiving dinner for the troops, appeared on a 1942 cover of Saturday Evening Post.
WWII Saturday Evening Post cover, 'Thanksgiving Blues,' 1942
Rockwell’s “Ye Glutton” was featured on the Thanksgiving cover of Life magazine in 1923.
Life magazine cover, Thankgsiving issue 1923, Norman Rockwell's 'Ye Glutton'
Rockwell’s “Thanksgiving Pie” was on the cover of Country Gentleman in 1930.
Norman Rockwell's 'Thanksgiving Pie,' Country Gentleman's Thanksgiving 1930 cover
This 1951 Rockwell painting, “Saying Grace,” appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
These first of two WWII Norman Rockwell “Thanksgiving” Saturday Evening Post covers here were used in Frugal Café’s tribute to our troops on Veterans Day… this first one is from 1945. A soldier is home for a while from the war, sitting with his mother in the kitchen. Very poignant.
A touching Thanksgiving painting, that of a soldier home for a while from the war, sitting with his mother in the kitchen. This was the Thanksgiving 1945 cover for Saturday Evening Post.
Also from World War II, Rockwell’s 1943 “Thanksgiving” shows evidence of the generosity of a deployed soldier, not present, who has given this young female war refugee his large coat to stay warm. God bless our military!
Norman Rockwell's 'Thanksgiving' was on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on November 27, 1943
This final, and likely one of the most famous Norman Rockwell WWII paintings, “Freedom of Want,” was one of four paintings in a series, the “Four Freedoms,” that Rockwell created during World War II. It may not have been meant to commemorate Thanksgiving, but the painting embodies the spirit of family and Thanksgiving.
Norman Rockwell's 'Freedom of Want'
To all our military veterans and our fallen heroes, thank you for your service and your sacrifices for America and her people. Without your courage and willingness to do what others can’t or won’t, America is still the greatest and safest nation on Earth.
Bless you all on this Thanksgiving. You are our heroes, and most of America embraces and remembers the enormity of what you have done in the name of liberty.
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If you want to do more for our deployed troops this year, like send Christmas cards or morale-building care packages to those serving overseas in either the Marines, Army, Air Force, or Navy, go to the Frugal Café US Troops main directory for information on how to easily (and frugally, of course!) do that. I’ve written a number of articles with directions and tips on how to package and mail to APOs and FPOs, what our deployed troops can and can’t receive in Muslim countries, what forms are needed with packages, donations desired for Afghan and Iraqi children, and more. You don’t need to spend a fortune… even a card or letter is appreciated. It lets them know we’ve not forgotten them, that America cares.
May God bless our military, our veterans, and America! May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
More on Rockwell… Update, February 3, 2010: Slice of Americana: Google Logo Tribute to Artist Norman Rockwell’s 116th Birthday
More Thanksgiving tributes:
VotingFemale Speaks!: Happy Thanksgiving to my beloved Blog Family, and to all true Americans
A Conservative Lesbian: How Art Buchwald explained Thanksgiving to the French
Diary of a Mad Conservative: George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Sister Toldjah: Happy Thanksgiving!
Motor City Times: Happy Thanksgiving
Gateway Pundit: Happy Thanksgiving – 2009
Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion: My Thanksgiving Greeting
GayPatriot: Happy Thanksgiving
Michelle Malkin: Thanksgiving 2009
Publius, Big Government: Thursday Open Thread, Thanksgiving Edition
Caffeinated Thoughts: In Everything Give Thanks
La Shawn Barber’s Corner: He Forgets Not His Own
Pundit & Pundette: Celebrating Thanksgiving by getting in their faces
Rasmussen Reports: 56% Say Thanksgiving Is One of Most Important Holidays
About the author
[...] Frugal Cafe: Thanksgiving Art… Artistic Tributes to Thanksgiving, America, and Our Military [...]
Vicki,…You are one of the Best !
This post brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
Don’t we all long for the ‘simpler times’ off and on ?
Thank you for promoting the troops.
Happy Thanksgiving, God Bless.
[...] McClure Davidson at the Frugal Cafe Blog Zone has a fascinating retrospective of Thanksgiving art culminating with Norman Rockwell’s [...]
Lots of nice old fashioned art. I enjoyed looking at them.
Great post!
A lot of research on all the artwork. I like the Post cover by Rockwell (“Thanksgiving”, 1943) I don’t remember ever seeing that one.
Thanks for the link!
Thanks so much for your input, Steve! And you’re welcome about the link… I only link to quality posts, so thank you for writing your Thanksgiving piece at Motor City Times.