Santa Claus In Camp
Title
Santa Claus In Camp
Subject
Morris County Library (Whippany, N.J.); Morris County (N.J.); Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902; Drawings; Art reproductions; Illustrations; Wood-engraving; Reprints; Christmas; Santa Claus.
Description
This Thomas Nast image was published in the 1862 Christmas issue of Harper’s Weekly, during days filled with both trials for the Union and rising hope. Santa Claus has arrived by sleigh in a Union army camp to distribute gifts. This was the moment that Nast conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa Claus.
Here, Santa Claus offers cheer to soldiers far from home. He distributes boxes of necessities such as warm socks, copies of Harper's Weekly, and entertains the crowd with a jumping jack dangling from a noose, its chest lettered "Jeff" in reference to the Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In the background, soldiers chase an escaped hog, roast meat on a spit and play fairground games such as climbing a greased pole.
Title printed under image reads "Santa Claus In Camp".
Signed Th: Nast.
Thomas Nast (American (born Germany), 1840–1902) conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa Claus. Combining European traditions of St. Nicholas with folk images of elves from his native Germany, he created the jolly gift-giver now associated with Christmas.
The Christmas Drawings of Thomas Nast, compiled by William Glover with a foreword by Norman Rockwell. The entire portfolio contains 30 reproductions.
Here, Santa Claus offers cheer to soldiers far from home. He distributes boxes of necessities such as warm socks, copies of Harper's Weekly, and entertains the crowd with a jumping jack dangling from a noose, its chest lettered "Jeff" in reference to the Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In the background, soldiers chase an escaped hog, roast meat on a spit and play fairground games such as climbing a greased pole.
Title printed under image reads "Santa Claus In Camp".
Signed Th: Nast.
Thomas Nast (American (born Germany), 1840–1902) conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa Claus. Combining European traditions of St. Nicholas with folk images of elves from his native Germany, he created the jolly gift-giver now associated with Christmas.
The Christmas Drawings of Thomas Nast, compiled by William Glover with a foreword by Norman Rockwell. The entire portfolio contains 30 reproductions.
Creator
Thomas Nast
Source
NJ 974.974 MOR BOX 54
Publisher
The World Publishing Company, New York and Cleveland, 1970
Date
1862 (Wood-engraving); 1863-1-3 (Harper's Weekly publication); 1970 (this reproduction)
Contributor
William Glover, compiler
Rights
Format
JPEG
Original Format
paper, drawing reproduction
Physical Dimensions
11 x 14 inches
Collection
Citation
Thomas Nast, “Santa Claus In Camp,” The Archive Project, accessed April 28, 2024, https://mcldig6930.omeka.net/items/show/1554.