In deciding to post a Rockwell illustration to wish everyone at BoK a Happy Turkey Day, I was expecting to go with the iconic Freedom From Want, in which a family is gathered around a table, all smiles as the golden bird is set in place for carving. If it doesn’t come readily to mind, close your eyes you can probably envision the famous picture I’m talking about. If not, there’s always Google Image.
But as I was locating a suitable version of Rockwell’s classic, I noticed another, probably equally famous portrait that I instantly liked better.
Saying Grace is way more fitting the Mad Men oeuvre. First, the image is about silence. The subjects of the portrait are the old lady and the little boy, clearly out of place in this dingy, crowded diner. Their heads bowed in reflection, they attract the attention of the other patrons through their wordless act.
The smokestacks and industrial scenery out the window tell us they’re in a blue-collar neighborhood, but the boy’s white shirt, the brightest thing in the picture, draws our eye, and the customers’, to them.
But the silence is a message unto itself. It’s a picture of tolerance. The onlookers’ faces are not mocking or disrespectful in any way. Everyone’s mouths are closed. Heads up. Eyes open.
The fellow at far left looks admiringly at the pair. The two at their table are curious, but mute. Even the guy with the cigar, who’s face is shown only as a sliver, is turned and rapt.
Nothing is happening. Everything is happening. They’re out of place. They fit right in. They’re radical. They encourage conformity. What a great image for our show.
Have a wonderful, respectful, delightful, and graceful Thanksgiving everyone!
24 Responses to “Grace”
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Very interesting imagery! Hadn't seen that one before. Thanks for the good wishes. I'm grateful for everyone who makes MM possible, and especially to R & D for bringing us together around the globe.
Happy holiday to all!
Coop, you moved me to tears. Nothing but blessings for you and your family.
Kisses–
Roberta
Happy Thanksgiving to America and Americans from your neighbours to the North.
2009's been a tough year for America, but there's a lot to be thankful for. I say, be thankful for wine, good food, Mad Men and BoK. Oh, and the lovely Lipps.
I'm all choked up.
Thank you, Coop. And happy Thanksgiving to all our Basketcases.
Rockwell might be the most underrated artist in the world.
One of my favorite Rockwells, and much more poignant and powerful than the Freedom From Want painting, in my mind. Rockwell really knew how to capture those small moments and emotions, and he's a much better painter than he's usually given credit for. And no one captured with more tenderness and love the innocence of an eight-year old boy.
Here's another nice one, called "Family Grace" http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/chi…
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thanks for the lovely, thoughtful post.
I seem to remember Rockwell eventually thinking "Freedom From Want" was a bit smug. It was from his Four Freedoms series, inspired by a speech FDR gave in January, 1941. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/powers_of_persua…
Rockwell was a masterful illustrator–with a touch of sardonic wit. He should not be judged by the endless smudgy commemorative plates licensed by his heirs. Here's a piece from 1964 (coming next season on Mad Men?): http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/rockwell/pr…
Rockwell remains incredibly popular, as anyone who has encountered tour buses in Stockbridge, Mass. Will tell you. Given that his images were so commercial and accessible, I doubt he'll get artistic recognition any time soon. But that doesn't mean his work isn't valid, or meaningful, especially today. Happy Thanksgiving to all the basketcases and may things be better next year.
Merry Thanksgiving and "Happy Christmas" to all Basketcases. Thank You so much to the Lipp Sisters and friends for the wonderful site.
Glad
I'm thankful that I live in a world that has Mad Men, The Fabulous Lipp Sisters and all the wonderful Basketcases!
Now – a question I'd like to throw out there …
Which Mad Men character or family would you most like to spend Thanksgiving with?
I think Bert Cooper would have the most interesting food, so I'm pointing my shoeless feet at his place!
I'd spend Thanksgiving with the Harrises. Greg is a boor but Joan is a perfect and gracious hostess, charming, considerate, and sets a great table.
I'd spend it with the Drapers. Betty will be polite and Don will be gorgeous and I'll hang out a lot with the kids.
kind of like our day on the set, actually.
#10 SmilerG – I most certainly do have the most interesting food … a Japanese-inspired Thanksgiving. Stuffing Sashimi.
Lovely post. And a great site….
The image also reminds me of the coffee shop where Dick/Don meets Adam in season one. (It's seen in other episodes, but that meeting is the one I associate most with the image — it's almost like the little boy in the image is young Adam's stand-in, with big brother Dick away at war… Bit of a stretch, maybe, but I'm a basketcase.)
I'd spend my Thanksgiving with Peggy's family. I bet the food would be great!
For whatever reason, I've been mulling over #10 SmilerG' s question since early this morn.
Even with all the turmoil and uncertainty, I think Sal and Kitty would throw the best dinner party. An Italian spin on the traditional bird sounds tasty. Plenty of vino and 'buca, maybe a showtune or game of charades.
Sal's already shown himself to be a great host and Kitty would appreciate the company.
I like Roberta's idea too. I enjoy sitting at the kids' table and goofing around myself.
Thanks less, but I'm right there with you! Sal and Kitty's would be quite vibrant.
Roger Sterling's would be the most entertaining Thanksgiving, especially if he invited, magnanimously, the 'lioness'…
Sal and Kitty's, because they would have the best food and music.
I'd like to spend Thanksgiving with the Sterlingls. Jane would try her hardest to be the perfect hostess, but she wouldn't be quite right. Roger, of course would do a fabulous job keeping the guests entertained.
#14 Nick D. I thought the same thing. The Rockwell diner setting also reminded me of Don's meeting with Adam in another diner. Of course, the latter w/h/b in NYC, different clientle etc, but I still immediately thought of it as well.
# 15 – "I’d spend my Thanksgiving with Peggy’s family. I bet the food would be great!"
Especially if Peggy whipped up a batch of marijuana brownies!
I'd go to Carla's! I bet the food is divine!
#22 – SmilerG
"I am so high."