"Some sixty years ago, when the citadel of American Freedom was under siege
by foreign tyrannies, Norman Rockwell painted his glorious celebration of
our 'Four Freedoms.' Today, when our great land once again faces challenges
in a complex and often violent world, I have painted my own salute to the
Symbols of Freedom perhaps as a way of silently affirming our most
cherished beliefs.
As I worked on my Symbols of Freedom, I came to see that the
foundational values I extol in my art are the very same ones that touched
the hearts of Rockwell's generation. On the left horizon of the national
mall stands the Department of Agriculture tower, symbolizing the Freedom
from Want which offers the security on which all the other Freedoms stand.
The national Christmas tree expresses the pageantry of the holidays, its
glowing lights affirming the hope that burns in every heart through our
individual Freedom of Religion.
The severe obelisk of the Washington Monument represents for me the
establishment of our democratic republic — a reminder that government by
the people, for the people is our guarantee of Freedom from Fear. Finally,
the cupola of the Jefferson Memorial symbolizes Thomas Jefferson's
steadfast commitment to Freedom of Speech which he expressed so powerfully
in the Articles of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and other founding
documents.
Illuminating these powerful symbols and touching the modest crowd is the
glorious light of God's golden sunset, a reminder that all people who share
these four most fundamental Freedoms are truly blessed by the Almighty."
