Justice William O. Douglas of the Supreme Court of the United States admires a painting “Freedom of Speech” by artist Norman Rockwell, right, at the national premiere of the Four Freedoms War Bond Show in Washington, D.C., April 26, 1943, as Undersecretary of the Treasury Daniel W. Bell, center, looks on. (AP Photo/Max Desfor) (Max Desfor)

U.S Rep. Richard Neal and the Norman Rockwell Museum hosted a Washington D.C. reception Tuesday to celebrate the Berkshire County art institution’s launch of its touring “Rockwell, Roosevelt and the Four Freedoms: Enduring Ideals” exhibition.

The Springfield Democrat and museum officials celebrated the Stockbridge painter’s iconic works with an evening event at the House Ways and Means Committee Room on Capitol Hill.

Neal, who chairs the powerful House panel, said the reception with museum leaders and members of Congress sought to pay homage to Rockwell’s “aspirational view of America.”

“I think that the four freedoms that Rockwell and (former President Franklin) Roosevelt annunciated through verbiage and art had very endearing, as well as enduring values. … His view of the world, it was really something he hoped for, knowing that our work is unfinished,” he said in an interview.

Read more…