And to All a Good Night, Norman Rockwell This image is sourced from an interesting 2015 Wired article on Rockwell’s photographic reference for this and a number of his other holiday themed paintings. As is often the case with Rockwell paintings, much of the charm Read More …
Another of Norman Rockwell’s tired Santa illustrations, this one before rather than after his world-round ride, as in the illustration I featured in this post from 2017. I love the fact that Santa is apparently oblivious to the elf on his shoulder hanging onto his Read More …
Well, here’s something I didn’t know: coffee perks you up! — at least, according to this ad from the December 16, 1940 issue of Life magazine, delightfully illustrated by J. C. Leyendecker. Apparently, Santa is WIDE AWAKE in this ad from the Pan American coffee Read More …
Pioneering American political cartoonist and illustrator Thomas Nast — who was active during the mid to late 19th century, and particularly during the period of the American Civil War — was instrumental in the creation of the contemporary image of Santa Claus. Though I often Read More …
A follow-up to my 2006 article on “Illustrator’s Visions of Santa Claus“, in which I attempted to chronicle how 19th and early 20th century illustrators shaped our contemporary vision of the Jolly One. (Images above: Thomas Nast, Reginald Birch, J.C. Leyendecker, N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell Read More …
Despite the inaccurate claims made by Coca-Cola for a number of years (they have since modified their story), and some confusion from other quarters, American illustrator Haddon Sundblom did not create the look of Santa Claus as we know him. That story is a bit Read More …