Images of Thanksgiving Over Time - An Artistic and Historical View of Thanksgiving in Art and Photos

This hub is a gallery of images I found having to do with Thanksgiving. Many are artist's depictions of what they think the first Thanksgiving may have looked like. Others, are covering Thanksgiving at a period of time in the past. They are all interesting to me, from the paintings to the sketches to the etchings.

I think its good to remember our history, and to enjoy Thanksgiving not just now, but see how others did in the past as well. All of these images have been checked to make sure they are in the public domain. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, however you celebrate it!

The top image is from an unknown artist, but is is so lovely it ought to be shared. Here is the little bit of information I have on it. It says, "Recto, The Thanksgiving Dinner. Edwd. Ridley and Sons." It mentions also, silks, velvets, fancy goods, gent's furnishing goods, laces, embroideries, dress trimmings, ruchings, fringes. Corner of Grand and Allen Streets in New York. So, even if an advertisement of sorts, its just beautiful I think. (American Broadsides and Ephemera, Volume 1).

The above photo, is called "The Thanksgiving Service on the Field of Agincourt." The artist is Edmund Bleigh Leighton.

He signs his woodcuts as EBL, and I think this is just a wonderful work of art. Its one of those pieces that makes me want to go and learn more about what this is all about. I wonder sometimes, if that isn't the obvious goal of some of the artists we come across over the centuries. Its their way of expressing something beautiful or important to them, among other things.

This is a sketch by Alfred R. Waud, (Alfred Rudolph). He was an artist that lived from 1828-1891. Its interesting, the view into a camp during Civil Wartime at Thanksgiving. Evidently it is a cropped image as well, but what a treasure to see. Can you imagine those men? I imagine many of our soldiers now can imagine at least a little bit when they are gone from home during war times.

Above : What a neat and happy piece of art this is! It is called, "Thanksgiving Day - The Dance." The artist is Homer, Winslow. He lived 1836-1910. The date of issue on this piece is 11-27-1858. Its so impressive, these wood engravings. I think they are really quite spectacular, and shows such great talent on the part of the artist. This piece was published in Harper's Weekly, Volume 2, on November 27, 1858. It is located on page 761. There is a Winslow Homer collection, in the Boston Public Library, in the Print Department. He would be an artist to look into more, I love the feel of this piece.

The above work is entitled, "The First Thanksgiving." The artist is Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, an American painter, who lived from 1863 - 1930 and lived in Philadelphia. It was an oil on canvas.

While a very beautiful piece, this is more of a idealized, or romanticized version of what we know to be true regarding the First Thanksgiving. So while not historically accurate, still beautiful and interesting. Even the clothing by the Pilgrim's is incorrect, for example. The Indians would not have been sitting on the ground, evidently. The Wampanoag Indians also didn't wear feathered war bonnets.

President Ford, above, in the Rose Garden on November 20, 1975. He is one lucky turkey!

Below, President Ronald Reagan is pardoning the annual turkey, in November 1983. I think these are so fun, its just so lighthearted and they seem relaxed and happy.

** I hope to find more art like this over time, and add it to this small collection. Still, I wanted to share what I did find so far. Thanksgiving is such a huge part of the United State's history. The celebration of it has gone on for quite some time, and much has been written about it and so much art invested into such a special day. All dedicated to giving thanks for our lives and what we have. Its all a gift. Happy Thanksgiving!