Santa Claus and Little Bo Peep (published in "Harper's Young People," December 23, 1879)

Thomas Nast

originally published 1879 · Relief print and electrotype · Drawings and Prints

Santa dressed in a fur suit and with a box strapped to his back offers a stocking filled with lamb's tails to Little Bo Peep, as well as tacks and glue. The shepherdess at right holds a crook and is surrouned by toy sheep on wheels that lack their tails. A fir tree hung with more tails is shown behind the figures. The related wood engraving was published in the 1879 Christmas issue of Harper's "Young People." In 1862 Nast combined European traditions of St. Nicholas with folk images of elves from his native Germany to create the enduring image of a jolly gift-giver that we now so firmly associate with Christmas. Initially conceived as a way to cheer readers during the American Civil War, here Santa converses with a Nursery Rhyme character to entertain children.

Artist

Thomas Nast

Date

originally published 1879

Medium

Relief print and electrotype

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Thomas Nast Jr., Mabel Nast Crawford and Cyril Nast, 1933