Polley voos Fransay by Norman Rockwell

November 22, 1917 Issue of Life Magazine

Polley voos Fransay, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of Life Magazine published November 22, 1917.

An alternate title for this picture is Soldier Speaking to Little French Girl.

This was the fourth cover by Rockwell to appear on Life Magazine. A Rockwell illustration appeared on the Life magazine cover four times in 1917 and twenty-eight times in all.

This painting also appeared on the cover of a pamphlet called The Fatherless Children of France in 1919.

The original oil on canvas painting is currently owned by a private collector.

Polley voos Fransay

"Parley vous Francais?" the little girl is asking the American soldier.

Judging by the publication date of this issue, this soldier must have been one of the first American soldiers to arrive. America had barely entered the "Great War" in November 1917.

This girl has probably never seen an American soldier before now. She does not know which country he may be from. Then she notices the "US" on his hat and belt buckle.

Now she knows who he is. Still she asks "Parley vous Francais?"

The soldier responds with hand gestures. We still do not know if he speaks French or not.

I bet he will "Parley vous Francais" before his tour of France is concluded.

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Latest news: You will be able to see this painting and others at the Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian Institute from July 2, 2010 through January 2, 2011. This painting is from the collection of movie producer George Lucas. More details here.

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