With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Nast vigorously supported the cause of the Union and opposed slavery from his drawing board at Harpers Weekly. "Merry Old Santa Claus" by Thomas Nast (1881). Pre Janvier, Father Christmas, Christkindl, Santa Claus Whatever name you happen to give him, Santa and his origins still spur controversy. Nast made his living creating such images. Nast first drew him for the January 3, 1863, edition of Harper's Weekly. The Atlanta-based company asked Haddon Sundblom, an illustrator of Swedish descent, to depict a paunchy, smiling Santa Claus, dressed in red, with ruddy cheeks and an elfish look. At the age of fifteen, he got his first job as a professional illustrator for Frank Leslies Illustrated News. Nast gives higher purpose to the horror of war in his multi-part depiction of the past lives of African Americans and the future Emancipation could bring them. An American artist named Thomas Nast also played a part in creating Santa Claus. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. ", "One Less Vote." The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Andrew Johnson as a repressive autocrat and characterized Southerners as vicious exploiters of helpless blacks, revealing his bitter disappointment in postwar politics. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. His father was a musician in a military band with strong political opinions, and he decided the family would be better off living in America. Nast was the first person to draw Santa Claus as a fat, bearded elf. On a Christmas cover of Harpers Weekly, he depicted himself in front of the fireplace, holding a long mother-of-pearl (meerschaum) pipe that was very popular at the time in Germany and the Netherlands. The depictions are so similar that some Americans think the Coca Cola Company actually invented Santa. He was appointed consul general at Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 1902. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) During Christmas in 1862 Nast first drew Santa Claus but the drawings first appeared on the cover of the January 3, 1863, issue of Harpers Weekly, and shows Santa Claus visiting a Civil War Camp. German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast gave America some of its most enduring symbols: the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and Uncle Sam. However, his roots run deeper. In this drawing, Santa is shown sitting in his workshop, surrounded by toys and children. Thomas Nast, the famous cartoonist who drew for several publications, published the book "Thomas Nast's Christmas Drawings for the Human Race" in 1890, showcasing his many illustrations of Santa with a great big belly and fermenting that image among the American public. As for France, it adopted the Santa Claus theme by giving him nice big cheeks, a red costume and a sack filled with toys, and officially renaming him, Susan Sontag: How Paris Shaped an American Luminary, Mon Chou Chou, a Taste of France in San Antonio, Im Driven by a Hybrid Culture, from Baldwin to Duras, Giuseppe De Nittis: The Forgotten Impressionist, For American Filmmakers, Godard Is Not Dead, Deconstructing Power: W.E.B. His contributions to other journals became infrequent and, having lost nearly all his savings in the failure of the brokerage house of Grant & Ward in 1884, he became destitute. Before that, Santa had . In 1931, Coca-Cola decided to broaden its market to children. Nast launched a relentless anti-corruption campaign against Tweed in the . Nasts illustrations in Harpers Weekly were printed in black and white. Abraham Lincoln called him our best recruiting sergeant. During Reconstruction, Nasts cartoons portrayed Pres. Did Thomas Nast Draw Santa Claus In Harper's Christmas? In parallel, Louis Prang (1824-1907), the man who introduced Christmas cards to the United States in 1875, also took part in developing the clich by depicting Santa in a snowy and icy setting, wearing a big coat with a hood lined with white fur, boots and a cloth bag for toys. Santa Claus distributes gifts to Union troops in Nasts first Santa Claus cartoon, (1863). Who was the person who invented Santa Claus? In the right corner of the drawing Santa Claus is shown riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer. His cult began in Northern Europe at the time of the Crusades, particularly in Lorraine, of which he became the patron saint in the Middle Ages. Which issue is the central focus of this cartoon about Boss Tweed? However, he was just one of its elements, as captured in a wealth of 19th-century Christmas . When asked to paint some of his works, Nast chose the iconic red and white colours we . It was into this world that the talented artist Thomas Nast arrived in the 1850s. In fact, Ulysses S. Grant later commended Nast for his powerful support of the Union, saying that Nast did as much as any one man to preserve the Union and bring the war to an end. Thomas Nast did not invent the American Christmas, but the German immigrant did develop the iconic image of its central celebratory figure, Santa Claus. Images of the Anglo-American Santa Claus or Father Christmas has come to dominate the modern Christmas. The most famous among them was Thomas Nast (1840-1902), a caricaturist of German descent and godfather of the American cartoon. As Nast told his first biographer, Albert Bigelow Paine, he started drawing at an early age, to the exclusion of pretty much all else. For inspiration Sundblom turned to Clement Clark Moores 1822 poemA Visit From St. Nicholas, commonly known asTwas the Night Before Christmas. It is credited with being the first image to establish all the visual elements we associate with Americas version of Santa Claus we recognize today. With limited education and little artistic training he joined the art staff of Frank Leslie's Illustrated as a teenager. He created a modern version of Santa Claus (based on the traditional German figures of Sankt Nikolaus and Weihnachtsmann) and the political symbol of the elephant for the Republican Party (GOP). The former Bishop Nicholas, deprived of his miter and cross, was completely unrecognizable as a jolly grandfather with a long white beard. These sketches first attracted nationwide attention to his work. This is because pre-19th century Christmas celebrations were less about presents and family than they were about drinking, feasting, and carousing. Washington Irving promoted him in his 1809 A History of New York, a fictional work concerning New Yorks Dutch history. Even as Saint Nicholas was chased away from the Lutheran Protestant regions, he was welcomed in the Netherlands, despite its Calvinist majority. Actually, the original Santa was rather slim, but cartoonists and commercial ads artists gave him a makeover. Through the years, Sundbloms Christmas Santa ads for Coke incorporated subtle changes, but kept the robust, jolly figure essentially the same. He supported Abraham Lincoln andPresident Abraham Lincolndescribed Nast as the best recruiting sergeant for the Union cause since his sketchesinspired readers to support the war effort. Unsurprisingly, the drawings from the Civil War often fell solidly in the realm of propaganda; Nast staunchly supported abolition, civil rights and the Republicans. Contains spam, fake content or potential malware, Artists Graphite Pencils, A Beginners Guide, Artists Magazine Reading List Great Art Books of 2022, Valuing Value The Value of Being an Artist, Sip, Paint, Sip | Sketches with Wine, Tea and Coffee. For many of us, the bearded present-giver in the red suit remains a time-honored part of the holiday season, long after were stopped believing hell have a present for us. Learn how the familiar image of Santa Claus came to be, through the work of German-American illustrator Thomas Nast. He contributed 33 Christmas drawings to Harper's Weekly from 1863 through 1886, and Santa is seen or referenced in all but one. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('interstitial-ad');}); *Membership cannot be purchased with Gift Cards. After 1854, the Society expanded its political control even further by earning the loyalty of the citys rapidly expanding immigrant community, which functioned as its base of political capital. Probably not, but he is the one remembered in history. Which aspect of Upton Sinclairs life best explains his reasons for writing The Jungle? Emancipation of Negroes, The Past and the Future. Thomas Nast popularized the Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant as political party symbols, and made the Tammany tiger, the emblem of a firefighting club associated with the Tammany Ring in New York, the symbol of ferocious and destructive political corruption. by Jasmine Liu December 23, 2021. The Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port, located about ten kilometers from Nancy, was dedicated to him in the 15th century. Centered around a picture of a happy black family at a hearth, the image depicts slaves' miserable past in scenes of auctions and physical abuse -- and a view of a future as equals to their former masters. Why did Nast draw Santa? During Christmas in 1862 Nastfirst drew Santa Claus but the drawings firstappeared on the cover of the January 3, 1863, issue of Harpers Weekly,and shows Santa Claus visiting a Civil War Camp. The jovial version of St. Nick popular in the U.S. wasn . Thomas Nast The first Colonists, primarily Puritans and other Protestant reformers, did not bring Nicholas traditions to the New World. Stream live games and stay informed with breaking news . Nast continued to draw Santa for 30 years, changing the color of his coat from tan to the red he's known for today. A few years later, in December 1823, Clement Clark Moore, a professor at New Yorks Episcopalian seminary, published a poem intended for his own children called. A German immigrant to the United States, Thomas Nast (1840-1902) is best known for his illustrations and cartoons that were published in Harper's Weekly's Journal of Civilization.Nast is most associated with his depictions of "Boss Tweed" and "Santa Claus" and for his development and popularization of the donkey and elephant as political party symbols. Thomas Nast, (born September 27, 1840, Landau, Bavarian Palatinate [now Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany]died December 7, 1902, Guayaquil, Ecuador), American cartoonist, best known for his attack on the political machine of William M. Tweed in New York City in the 1870s. Discover the fascinating story of this iconic American garment. The poem describes the Christmas Eve antics of St. Nicholas, the beloved fourth-century patron saint of children. Dressed in robes, with a crown of holly in his head, Father Christmas was a Dionysus-like figure who livened up some pretty wild Christmas parties. Thomas Nast did not invent the American Christmas, but the German immigrant did develop the iconic image of its central celebratory figure, Santa Claus. Historians review some myths and misconceptions about the Reconstruction era. The clever Coke advertisers hired American artistHaddon Sundblom (1899-1976) to create a Santa Claus who would appear as an actual person, not a myth, magician, or an impersonator wearing a fake beard and a padded suit. The name Santa Claus has his roots in the informal Dutch name for St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas (an abbreviation of Sint Nikolaas).St. In the 1920s, the company began to run magazine ads aimed at reminding people that Coca-Cola wasn't just a summer drink . Sundbloms last ad for the company was painted in 1964. The story of Santa Claus stems from a real man who started out as a monk and became the patron saint of children. Even as Saint Nicholas was chased away from the Lutheran Protestant regions, he was welcomed in the Netherlands, despite its Calvinist majority. In fact, when Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported the Union. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Thomas Nast attended school in New York City. Nast, who was reportedly a rather rotund figure even in childhood, seems to have partially based Santa Clauss physique and appearance on his own. Thomas Nast: self-caricature Nast arrived in New York as a boy of six. This cartoon was published just a few weeks after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. He was a poor student, but evenfrom an early age, Nast showed an interest in drawing. Nast continued to draw Santa for 30 years, changing the color of his coat from tan to the red hes known for today. Nast gives higher purpose to the horror of war in his multi-part depiction of the past lives of African Americans and the future Emancipation could bring them. This image pairs holiday sentiment with political messaging. What impact did Thomas Nast have? In 1902, he . For younger children, you could draw the design for them and allow them to colour in the Santa drawing themselves. No. AKA Santa Claus. Several American artists played a role in turning the image of a slim saint in bishop's robes into a chubby, jolly old man in tall boots. In the mid 19th century American illustrator, political cartoonist and Morristown resident Thomas Nast (1840-1902) was responsible for creating the Victorian image of Santa Claus that we still use today. January 24, 1863 At times, though, his satire could be downright prejudiced, particularly against the Irish and the Catholics, and he used many stereotypes common in his time. The first mention of a well-fed old man riding on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Nast arrived in New York as a boy of six. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It did so well that Coca-Cola continued to use Sundblom's Santa illustrations for decades, and his wholesome representation of Santa that is both realistic and symbolic can still be glimpsed in current ads. Rare green comet not seen since the Stone Age will zoom overhead tonight. But even after the war ended, Nast continued to use Santa Claus to make certain pointed political statements. Above all, Coca-Colas red and white colors determined those of Santa Claus contemporary uniform. Thomas Nast: Learn About the Man Behind Santa Claus, Christmas Eve Santa Claus Waiting for the Children to Get to Sleep by Thomas Nast, Emancipation of the Negroes The Past and the Future by Thomas Nast, Can the Law Reach Him? His portrayals of Santa became increasingly popular and were widely reprinted in newspapers and magazines across the country. Despite his important role in shaping the modern image of Santa Claus, Nast was not the only artist to depict the figure during this time. "Thomas Nast has been our best recruiting sergeant," he said. Tweet. Originally, children hoped to receive presents from him on St. Nicholass Day, celebrated on December 6th. Irvings book recounts the odyssey of a Dutch crew leaving Amsterdam in the 17th century for America. Copyright 2023 Golden Peak Media. Nasts illustrations in. Why were Thomas Nasts political cartoons so important? According to Mccullough Hall, Thomas Nast told his family that he wanted most to be remembered for this image. Later images even showed him interacting with children. The cult of St. Nicholas had died in Europe with the Protestant Reformation except in the Netherlands, where, on December 5 of each year, the eve of his feast day, Dutch children would set out their shoes in hopes that . From the 19th century: Thomas Nast's vision of old Saint Nick. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. In 1875, Louis Prang, the father of the American Christmas card, printed a series of postcards with a Santa Claus in a red costume. In 1823, the second artist, a professor by the name of Doctor Clement Clarke Moore, presented his family with a poem about Santa to amuse his grandchildren and that Santa took over. Discover the best of France-Amrique every week in our newsletter. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Thomas Nast Credit: Courtesy: Harvard College Library, Sign up for the American Experience newsletter! In 1862, Nast began working for Harpers Weekly, which would publish his most celebrated and influential work. Sinterklaas, also known as St. Nicholas, was a historical figure who was known for his generosity and kindness, and he is the source of many of the modern Santa Clauss attributes, such as his love of children and his association with Christmas. This is a cool infographic on the Civil War from the Civil War Trust, Your email address will not be published. For this reason, Santa is still sometimes referred to as Saint Nick. Saint Nicholas was borrowed from this Dutch tradition introduced in America by the earliest Dutch immigrants for political reasons: as a kind of antidote to Christmas, which was celebrated by the English enemy and by the British colonial monarchy. Today, one can still admire the stained-glass depiction of Nicholas carrying a bishops cross and miter. Thomas Nast (1840-1902) was born in Bavaria, Germany. (Enter your ZIP code for information on American Experience events and screening in your area.). Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. N.P., as you may have guessed, stands for the North Pole. August 5, 1865 The episode led him to be regarded as the patron saint of schoolchildren. While the roots of the Santa story go back hundreds of years it is undeniable that the soft drink companys advertising campaigns around the Christmas holidays embedded their image of Santa firmly in the nations imagination. Although other artists of the period sketched Santa Claus, Nast stands apart from the rest for his role in creating and popularizing the modern image of the Christmas figure. Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas by his Dutch name, is their ships figurehead, protecting them from the storm. He is believed to have donated doweries for three impoverished women and has brought murdered children back to life. Much earlier, the American cartoonist Thomas Nast fashioned Santa Clauss image on the pages of the American magazine, The character of Santa Claus is believed to descend from Bishop Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4, The cult of Saint Nicholas did not escape Europes religious upheavals. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf.. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Saint Nicholas was popular in his lifetime, and had the reputation of being a miracle maker. The saint appears in the dreams of a sleeping sailors and expresses the wish to see the Dutch immigrants settle and build a city on the island of Manna-hata (Manhattan). The following year, the writer George Webster revived Nasts idea, noting that Santa Claus toy factory and home were buried in the snows of the North Pole the rest of the year. Thomas Nast Santa Claus before Nast was a tall, thin man; it is Nast who made him the fat, jolly, bearded . Its widely believed that todays Santa wears a red suit because thats the colour associated with CocaCola, but this isnt the case. Columbia asks, "Shall I Trust These Men, and Not This Man?". Nasts first published drawing of Santa Claus appeared in Harpers Weekly in 1862, in a cartoon titled Santa Claus and His Works. In this drawing, Santa is depicted as a small, chubby figure with a long white beard, wearing a red suit and carrying a sack of toys. if ( 'querySelector' in document && 'addEventListener' in window ) { Thomas Nast (/nst/; German: [nast]; September 27, 1840 December 7, 1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist often considered to be the Father of the American Cartoon.
why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling