Jim Butcher (American, B. 1944) "Winter Mischief" Signed and dated lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally used on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Santa Claus stamp issued October 30, 1984.

Santa Claus -- dressed from head to toe in his familiar garments of red and white -- has become a cherished symbol of Christmas the world over. But, Santa as he is known and loved today is quite different from the somber Santa Claus children knew in the early nineteenth century. Known then as St. Nicholas, he was a stern patriarch dressed in bishop's robes. It was writers and artists who helped Santa make the transformation into the jovial, robust character that is recognized today. And, perhaps the greatest contributions of all came from a certain serious classical scholar -- Clement C. Moore -- and a political cartoonist, Thomas Nast. Moore contributed his part to the transformation through the poem he wrote for his children entitled "A Visit from St. Nicholas." However, the poem is better known by its first line "Twas the night before Christmas." In his work Moore presented a Santa that was a jolly, sky-riding character that won popularity across America. In 1862, Thomas Nast gave Santa his fur-trimmed outfit and put all the finishing touches on the merry character Americans today know as St. Nick.

Image Size: 14.5 x 11.75 in.
Overall Size: 20 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B08994)

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20 x 15 in