Save freedom of worship...Buy war bonds

Poster depicts a group of praying figures. 'Freedom of Worship' was one of the 'Four Freedoms' outlined by President Roosevelt in a 1941 speech to Congress as one of allied nations' aims, that when the war was done, all people might live in freedom from fear, from want and with guaranteed freedom of speech and worship. The poster is a reproduction of a painting by Norman Rockwell, who was so inspired by Roosevelt's words, that he executed four paintings in seven months which embodied what he thought to be four basic freedoms. The paintings were published by the Saturday Evening Post, where Rockwell had been working since 1916. The paintings were a phenomenon in war-time United States; 25,000 reproductions were requested. The US Treasury Department toured the four original paintings to 16 cities to promote war bonds. The four paintings were also published as postage stamps by the United States Post Office. Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was born in New York City and talented at a young age, he received his first commission at age 17. In 1916, he created the first of 321 covers for 'The Saturday Evening Post'. Rockwell's Americana images were loved by the public, but not embraced by critics. He created Second World War posters and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977. His success as an artist stemmed from his careful appreciation for everyday American scenes, the warmth of small-town life in particular. Often what he depicted was treated with a certain simple charm and sense of humor.