Michael Garland: Children Sledding at Christmas

Artist: Michael Garland
1952 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1995
Image Size: 12 by 14 inches
Overall Size: 14 by 17.5 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board

It is not certain why December 25 was chosen as the day to celebrate Christ's birth. Scholars hypothesize that early Christians chose the date to coincide with a pagan Roman holiday marking the "birthday of the unconquered sun," which was a festival celebrating the winter solstice. This event occurred annually between the fall harvest and the spring planting. Taking all this into consideration, in 350 A.D. Pope Julius I declared December 25 the official day of the Nativity. This meant that in many parts of the world Christmas would be celebrated in winter. Not surprisingly snow on the ground, especially fresh snow, became part of the magic of Christmas. In parts of Scandinavia, sleighs were the most efficient method of travel during the winter and gained a holiday appeal. Even Santa Claus is portrayed delivering Christmas cheer in a sleigh. In parts of the United States where the climate is temperate, artificial icicles and snow are manufactured on Christmas to incorporate that all-important aspect of the season. Traditionally on Christmas morning, children would wake to find sleds under the tree. After all their gifts were opened and Christmas dinner was consumed, they would bundle up from head to toe to test the new toy on the snow-covered hills. The excitement of sledding has been captured by noted artist and illustrator Michael Garland.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 32¢ Children Sledding stamp issued October 19, 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): XB15228

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