Rare Rockwell Reproduction Worship Crewel Embroidery Kit

The pictures of Norman Rockwell- (nee 1894 morte 1978) were recognized and loved by Americans in every station of life. The cover of The Saturday Evening Post was a showcase for his artistry for over forty years. Designing the covers for that magazine gave him an audience larger than that of any other artist in history. He depicted in his lifetime a unique collection of Americana, a series of vignettes of remarkable warmth and humor. In addition, he painted a great number of pictures for story illustrations, advertising campaigns, books, calendars,posters.
In 1957 the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington cited him as a Great Living American, saying that..."Through the magic of your talent, the folks next door - their gentle sorrows, their modest joys - have enriched our own lives and given us new insight into our countrymen."

We are pleased and proud to be able to present a limited vintage circa 1980’s collection of these well loved portraits for the needleartist. Paint this design with your own needle, and it will become a treasured part of your family’s Norman Rockwell collection for years to come.

This beautiful gallery style crewel design is a reproduction of Rockwell’s Freedom of Worship portrait.Carefull placed details highlight this compelling Rockwell masterpiece. This gallery crewel style piece is printed in full color to accurately reporduce the artist’s original work. Your stitches will accent the color-printed design, keeping stitching time to a minimum, and resulting in a collaborative effort you’ll be proud to display for generations.

Size: 14"x18" (35x45 cm)

 Kit contains: Persian wool yarn, cotton embroidery thread, gold metallic thread, design printed on 100% cotton Cottage cloth, needle, step by step illustrated instructions. Proudly made in the USA

Designer: Norman Rockwell
Manufacturer: Dimensions
Size: 18"x18" (45x45 cm)
Year/Condition: 1985 Vintage New/Barely shopworn Packaging

***Freedom of Worship Painting Background***

January, 1941: War clouds were gathering as President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to Congress. Part of his speech presented "Four Freedoms" as ideals for a better world in a future time of peace. Later that year, the "Atlantic Charter" (an agreement signed by President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill of Great Britain) referred to such "essential human freedoms" for people everywhere.

Illustrator Norman Rockwell wanted to make a special contribution to the war effort; and he was inspired to do four paintings, one to represent each "freedom." He hoped that his work would help Americans see clearly just what we were fighting for.

Rockwell finished them in 1943. They were a huge success when they appeared in four consecutive issues of the "Saturday Evening Post." Besides raising the morale of our citizens, they were responsible for selling over $100 million worth of War Bonds. Today they are considered some of the most famous paintings of all time.

Those "Four Freedoms" were: (1) Freedom of Speech; (2) Freedom from Want; (3) Freedom from Fear; and (4) Freedom of Worship.

Number (4) was Rockwell’s favorite of the four, but it was the most difficult to paint. He had to spend more time on it than on any of the other three. Considering the many religions found in our country, choosing one pictorial representation of ALL was a monumental task. He hoped to avoid offending any denomination while depicting the idea of unrestricted religious practice. In his painting, Rockwell wanted to say: No person should be discriminated against, regardless of his or her religion or race.

In this picture is a group of eight people praying, each in his or her own way. Rockwell used some of his Vermont neighbors as models. In closeup, only their faces and hands are seen. It was the only one of the four done from that perspective. Worshippers are of different cultures, races, and religious backgrounds. They vary in age (both young and old).

One woman holds a rosary (string of beads used by Roman Catholics to count prayers). A man wears a Jewish yarmulke (skullcap) and holds a Bible. An African-American woman appears in the upper left-hand corner. In the foreground is an elderly woman described as a "mother figure." She has braids pinned on top of her head.

One critic described the painting as a " ... close grouping of profiles in prayerful contemplation lit by a soft, almost golden light ..." Others saw a " ... gray hue that suggested both variety and similarity ...."

Across the top Rockwell lettered: EACH ACCORDING TO THE DICTATES OF HIS OWN CONSCIENCE. He said later he remembered reading it " ... somewhere ... " It is now believed that a similar idea was written by the 19th century Mormon leader Joseph Smith in his "Principles of Worship." ...an excerpt by Stan Griffin