Thanksgiving
- Date
- 1943
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- American Art
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 333
- Dimensions
- 41 × 31 in. (104.1 × 78.7 cm)
framed: 46 1/8 × 36 3/16 in. (117.2 × 91.9 cm) - Credit Line
- Bequest of Edith J. and C. C. Johnson Spink
- Rights
- © SEPS
- Object Number
- 26:2014
NOTES
A young woman, with a United States Army coat draped over her shoulders, crouches amidst rubble and ruin in war-torn Italy. She folds her hands in thanksgiving over the meager meal perched on her lap. On November 27, 1943, amidst the fighting of World War II (1939–1945), a copy of this painting appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post urging readers to remember others less fortunate than themselves on a holiday devoted to gratitude.
The sitter who modeled for this painting, 13-year-old Aline Ponton of Vermont, was one of more than 500 girls that Rockwell photographed for this work. She received $10 for her photograph, and learned that her image had been selected for the final work only when the Saturday Evening Post arrived at her door.
The sitter who modeled for this painting, 13-year-old Aline Ponton of Vermont, was one of more than 500 girls that Rockwell photographed for this work. She received $10 for her photograph, and learned that her image had been selected for the final work only when the Saturday Evening Post arrived at her door.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.
Related Content
Pages
Audio Guide
Events
Nov28
Seasonal Spotlight: Thanksgiving
- Event Date / Time
- 1:30–2 pm
- Event Category
- Free Fridays
Nov28
Seasonal Spotlight: Thanksgiving
- Event Date / Time
- 4:30–5 pm
- Event Category
- Free Fridays