Michael Garland: Santa Entering the Chimney with a Sack of Toys

Artist: Michael Garland
1952 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1995
Image Size: 12.75 by 15.25 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 20 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board

Santa Claus wasn't always the rotund, merry gift-giver of today. In the beginning of the 19th century the traditional Christmas visitor was seen as a tall, stern patriarchal figure, dressed in bishop's robes. The transformation of his character came about mainly through the imagination and invention of artists and storytellers. They gave Santa a pipe, a jolly air and reindeer. But the two men who had the most profound effect on our image of Santa were educator Clement C. Moore and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Moore, a professor at an Episcopal seminary in New York, was a serious man, who didn't believe in the "frivolous amusements" of Christmas. Yet, to entertain his children, he penned the much-loved Christmas verse, "A Visit from St. Nicholas." The poem, written in 1822, began "T'was the night before Christmas," and Moore's vivid description of St. Nick gradually gained popularity. In 1862, Nast put his pen to paper and visually changed the image of Santa, giving him a fur-trimmed coat and a bag of toys for good little girls and boys. In many European countries, the jolly old man has retained his age-old name -- St. Nicholas. But in America, Dutch immigrants introduced Sinter Klaas who came to be known as Santa Claus. Each years millions of children all over the world eagerly await his Christmas Eve appearance. Some even try to stay up past midnight to catch a glimpse of Santa leaving them candy and presents.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 32¢ Santa Claus Entering Chimney stamp issued September 30, 1995.

Artwork Copyright © 1995 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB15009

US$ Price: $2,000.00

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