Two documents pertaining to the sale of Norman Rockwell's farm and studio property in Arlington, Vermont, where he painted his famed 'Four Freedoms' series: a DS signed "Norman Rockwell" and "Mary Rockwell," one page, 8.5 x 11, September 18, 1943, agreeing to sell to Frederick A. Bonsal real property "being the home farm of the seller, located approximately one mile west of the village of Arlington, and containing 60 acres of land,…together with all improvements thereon," for the sum of $7250; and a DS signed "Norman Rockwell" and "Mary Rockwell," three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.5 x 14, October 14, 1943, being the deed for said property. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by four original photographs of the house, ranging in size from 4 x 3.75 to 7 x 5.
Norman Rockwell moved to Arlington, Vermont, in 1939, where the small-town charm and tight-knit community greatly influenced his artwork. At his Arlington house in 1943, Rockwell painted his beloved 'Four Freedoms' series—'Freedom of Speech,' 'Freedom of Worship,' 'Freedom from Want,' and 'Freedom from Fear'—capturing the essence of American ideals with warmth and authenticity. For these paintings, Rockwell used his Arlington friends and neighbors as models: 'Freedom of Speech' portrays a dissenter at a 1942 Arlington town meeting, modeled by Rockwell's neighbor Carl Hess; 'Freedom of Worship' features several people from town, including Rockwell's carpenter Walter Squires; 'Freedom from Want' depicts Rockwell's local friends around his Thanksgiving table; and 'Freedom from Fear' shows neighbors Jim Martin and Dorothy Lawrence tucking the two Squires children into bed.
In May 1943, a disastrous fire destroyed Rockwell's studio and many of his works, as well as valuable props. Blaming the extent of the loss on his home's distance from a fire station, Rockwell resolved to resettle closer to town. He sold the property to Frederick Bonsal and moved to a picturesque house that had once been a tavern and tourist home.
