Anna Mary Robertson Moses (American, 1860–1961). Thanksgiving Turkey, 1943. American. Oil on wood. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, 1950 (50.145.375)
«Happy Thanksgiving from Teen Programs at the Met! There are a number of artworks in the Museum that depict this time of year; one example is this painting by Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses. The people in this rural scene are preparing for Thanksgiving by catching a turkey. Their energy while chasing the turkeys and their brightly colored jackets add warmth to this charming scene. This family's Thanksgiving preparations are a reminder of our own holiday traditions.»
One tradition with which many people are familiar is making Thanksgiving art projects in school. Every year, my classmates and I used to create pilgrim hats, clay turkey sculptures, or handprint turkeys. Today, my mom still displays some of the turkeys I made, and in that way, art remains a part of my Thanksgiving tradition.
Do you have memories of making Thanksgiving art?