Thanksgiving, Norman Rockwell, 1943

I went to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday and encountered a most unexpected treasure, a Norman Rockwell painting. It is one of two recent acquisitions by the Slammer. The only Rockwell paintings owned by the museum. Both were given at the bequest of the Spink family of Saint Louis, owners of the venerable Sporting News. The other more famous painting, “Hot Stove League”, shows two old men bickering about baseball while keeping warm next to a pot-belly stove. One man is holding a newspaper and another is holding a baseball magazine and likely had a special significance for the Spink family, with their sports publishing background. I look forward to seeing it on display, maybe in November, after the Cardinals clinch the World Series? The pictured “Thanksgiving”, was purchased from the artist by Mister Spink and given to his son, upon his return from the Coast Guard during World War II. This painting depicts a young women refugee in war-ravaged Italy giving thanks for a GI’s rations and coat. The more famous Rockwell 1943 “Thanksgiving” painting, part of his “Four Freedoms” series, “Freedom From Want”, shows a large family about to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day feast. These two contemporary paintings form an interesting juxtaposition and commentary about the haves and the have-nots of this world. Be always thankful for what you have folks, because there are always people more unfortunate than you.