Breakfast Table Political Argument by Norman Rockwell

October 30, 1948 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Breakfast Table Political Argument, a Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published October 30, 1948. This is another favorite of Rockwell collectors, a classic enduring image of the world Rockwell painted.

An alternate title is Dewey Vs Truman.

This painting was Rockwell's 256th overall out of 322 total paintings that were published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

This was also the sixth cover for The Post in 1948. In 1948, there were seven Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers published.

The original oil on canvas painting, 35.625 x 34.125 inches or 90.4 x 86.5 cm, is part of the collection of the Harry S.Truman Library and Museum.

This painting also appears in three Rockwell commentary books. It appears:

• as illustration 134 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch
• as illustration 450 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and
• on page 179 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Pristine original copies of this magazine cover routinely sell for big bucks on eBay, when it is offered. And to think it only cost fifteen cents originally! And it was mint condition then, too.

Breakfast Table Political Argument

Dewey versus Truman?

Everybody had an opinion concerning that election.

This painting is reminescient of an earlier political discussion between husband and wife, Man And Woman Seated Back To Back. Rockwell painted that composition for the October 9, 1920 Saturday Evening Post cover.

In this painting, Norman Rockwell shows us how the whole family can be affected over politics.

This fellow is, in my opinion, overreacting to a disagreement over who to vote for, the Democratic candidate of the ruling class versus the Republican candidate of the ruling class. As we all know, in the political process, choice is just an illusion. Just as changes and reforms in politics are just illusions.

In any case, this young husband is really getting disturbed because, apparently his young wife is goiing to vote differently than he intends. He is holding a copy of the Tribume that endorses Dewey, while his young wife is holding a copy of the Reformer which is endorsing Truman.

His outburst has upset not only his wife.

The baby is in the floor crying and his teddy bear looks like he is trying to cover his ears.

The dog looks like he is trying to get as far away from the commotion as possible.

The cat? Well, she is just being a cat, though she is probably having a hard time deciding why she is not being fed or petted or otherwise adored.

Even the bird in his cage looks to be flapping around, but not as wilding as the young husband.

Maybe he will grow up and get a clue one day. Just to make sure you know: his candidate lost the election on November 2, 1948.

Norman Rockwell's Breakfast Table Political Argument (1948)
(Image Only) Copyright © 1948 Saturday Evening Post & Curtis Publishing Company