Today We, Zarathustra the Cat, present the true version of the famous work of art “Rosie the Riveter” by the great American artist Norman Rockwell:
Norman Rockwell, Rosie the Riveter and Cats
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon in the United States representing the women who worked in factories during World War II supplying arms for allies while men were fighting against Nazis
The painting received mass distribution being featured on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post on Memorial Day, May 29, 1943
The painting depicts Rosie taking her lunch with a rivet gun on her lap, having underfoot a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf, thus showing her triumph over the monster.
A sheet of paper in her pocket shows a note: “Buy diet food for my Fat Cat”
Suddenly, the Fat Cat himself jumps on her lap, showing Rosie proof of his hunting abilities, a mouse, and, maybe, offering her a more healthy, in his opinion, meal.
Norman Rockwell, Rosie the Riveter and Cats, detail
Thus the cat follows the tradition of his noble people to bring gifts for their beloved humans and makes his impact in the victory by saving human food from mice.
The cat’s beloved brothers David Bovie and Tyger Blake also make their efforts rending the horrible book in the best Lucio Fontana’s style
Norman Rockwell, Rosie the Riveter and Cats, detail
But what does Rosie say to her kitty bringing her a mousie?
“Zarathustra, I appreciate your efforts, but come on, let the mousie go, I’ll give you a nonfat piece of ham now, and then you’ll have your diet food. We should be bad only to monsters”
Why do We suggest Rosie expressed misericordia to the captured mouse?
In his artwork, Norman Rockwell was inspired by Michelangelo’s depiction of the prophet Isaiah on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Here is the true version of the fresco:
Michelangelo, Prophet Isaiah and Cats, the Sistine Chapel
Prophet Isaiah told “they (nations) shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4)
The fresco depicts how the prophet got the inspiration for the phrase that became a symbol of a concept in which military weapons or technologies are converted for peaceful civilian applications.
In the middle of the night, when the prophet had his deepest thoughts, Isaiah’s cats finished their bowls on their halves. You know that it’s a good excuse to apply force for a human to replenish them.
We, Zarathustra the Cat, were leading the cat army of three to their victory.
But the wise prophet told Us “Zarathustra, shall you retract your swords into your soft beans?”
Michelangelo, Prophet Isaiah and Cats, detail, the Sistine Chapel
“Go and finish your bowls, and I’ll buy more food, and you shall not make your battle at 4 o’clock in the morning anymore!”
Michelangelo, Prophet Isaiah and Cats, detail, DB the Cat reminds Prophet Isaiah of his obligations, the Sistine Chapel fresco
Now you know why the iconic phrase symbolizing peace appeared in the book instead of a note to buy food for cats. Cats are embodiments of peace themselves even when they are forcing humans to do something!
You see how often do routine tasks lead to genius inspirations?
Norman Rockwell rightfully chose the inspiration for his Rosie the Riveter: he thought of future peace in the middle of the war.
You may study the story of the commonly known version of the painting and its inspiration on the site of the Norman Rockwell Museum.
And you, humans, beat your swords into plowshares, and do not wage war anymore
Thus speaks Zarathustra the Cat
BUY THIS ARTWORK as a CANVAS PRINT or as a POSTER