The artwork, titled “A Well Fed Nation is a Fighting Nation,” was created by Charles Alston in 1943. It belongs to the Social Realism art movement and is executed in the genre of a poster.
The artwork features a family standing prominently in the foreground, composed of a man, a woman, a child, and a baby. The man, dressed in work overalls, stands resolutely with a sack in his hand, embodying the strength and resilience of the working class. The woman holds the baby close to her chest, while the child stands with a toy airplane, looking upwards with a sense of hope. The family is depicted in a realistic and dignified manner, resonating with the principles of Social Realism. Behind them, a regiment of soldiers marches forward, symbolizing the connection between national strength and military power. The caption “A Well Fed Nation is a Fighting Nation” underscores the critical message advocating for nutritional health as vital for national defense. The phrase “America Needs Your Strength – Plan Nutritious Meals” further emphasizes the importance of food planning for the nation’s wellbeing during a time of war.
