Artwork of the Week: April 28
“I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.”
—Norman Rockwell
“Lift up Thine Eyes” was originally created as a companion to former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey 1969 article, “Four Words to Remember,” in McCall's Women’s Magazine. The article advocated for meaningful spiritual practice as a refuge for those struggling or simply preoccupied by the demands of daily life.
Rockwell, an artist recognized for creating images that depict the American Dream, takes a different approach in this piece. This painting, revealing what Rockwell saw as a weakness in society, juxtaposes two different types of individuals: those who are looking down and those who accept the invitation on the gothic cathedral, echoing the words of Isaiah (49:18), to “Lift up Thine Eyes.”
The bustling street brims with a multitude of pedestrians, each moving with a sense of determination. Their downward gaze make it seem as if they are lost in thought or burdened by the weight of an unseen preoccupation. Even the man posting the words on this church shares in this glance towards the ground. The only figure looking up is the cleric, noticing the flock of birds reaching towards the sky. Viewers are left to contemplate where in this scene they would find themselves and how they too could benefit from a heavenward gaze.
