Smiles in Belgium Once More by Norman Rockwell

April 19, 1919 Issue of The Literary Digest

Smiles in Belgium Once More, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Literary Digest published April 19, 1919.

An alternate title for this work is Soldiers with Belgian Children.

This illustration is one of eight Rockwell paintings The Digest featured on its cover in just 1919 alone.

This painting was also Rockwell's sixth overall out of 47 total pictures featured on the cover of The Literary Digest. Rockwell's career with the Literary Digest only spanned five years, from his first cover illustration, Boy Showing Off Badges in 1918 to his last, The Night Before Christmas, in 1923.

The original oil on canvas painting, 30 x 28.125 inches or 76 x 71.5 cm, is part of the collection of the Wagnall's Memorial Foundation Museum.

This painting was also been reproduced in Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt on page 49.

Smiles in Belgium Once More

At the time this painting was rendered, World War I was unofficially over. Troops had pulled back, meaning German troops were no longer in Belgium.

Though the war was not officially over until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, this was a time of great jubilation. No bullets or artillery shells were flying.

In this illustation, two soldiers are accompanied by two children, celebrating the end of World War I. All the characters are smiling and rightly so.

Both soldiers wear the same color uniform. However, one soldier is assumed to be American, one to be British. The little girl in the foreground is waving the American Stars and Stripes in one hand and the British Union Jack in the other.

One soldier is riding a little boy piggy-back. The other soldier is pushing the little girl in a wheelbarrow.

The town is visible in the background. Smoke from smokestacks indicates that industry has started again.

This was a time of positive anticipation. Norman Rockwell captured those feelings with his canvas and brush.

Sailor Dreaming of Girlfriend	World War One Soldier Marching with Children	Courting Couple at Midnight
The Party Favor	The Valedictorian	Boys Playing Leapfrog
Boy Chasing Dog With Pants	Boy Asleep With Hoe	Man Leaving Work to Go Golfing
Boy on Stilts	Grandfather and Snowman

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