why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling

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. His image of Santa Claus was the inspiration for the Coca Cola companys modern Santa Claus. Prior to Nasts drawings, Saint Nicolas and later Santa Claus, had been drawn as a tall, thin man. Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space (espaol). This file has been superseded by MerryOldSanta.jpg.It is recommended to use the other file. Nast routinely criticized him for this corruption, depicting him here as only having money for brains. Thomas Nast Unsurprisingly, the drawings from the Civil War often fell solidly in the realm of propaganda; Nast staunchly supported abolition, civil rights and the Republicans. A child weeps after receiving a stick as a present, while a little girl lovingly cuddles a miniature of the bishop saint the way she would a doll. Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas by his Dutch name, is their ships figurehead, protecting them from the storm. Santa Claus before Nast was a tall, thin man; it is Nast who made him the fat, jolly, bearded . 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 father, Joseph Thomas Nast, joined them in 1849 at the end of his enlistment. However, he was just one of its elements, as captured in a wealth of 19th-century Christmas . 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. What are the four main categories used to develop a narrative? Santa as we have come to know him can be attributed to generations of stories, poems and more recently, television. 5 Tech Upgrades for Claus, Extinct giant tortoise was the 'mammoth' of Madagascar 1,000 years ago. In 1902, he . . Nasts images provide the first known references of Santa Claus having a toy workshop and living at the North Pole. 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. Emancipation of Negroes, The Past and the Future. When Dutch settlers arrived in the American colonies, they brought their love of Sinterklaas, as they call him, with them. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; How did Ida Tarbell expose the Standard Oil monopoly quizlet? Irvings book recounts the odyssey of a Dutch crew leaving Amsterdam in the 17th century for America. If so, he certainly got his wish. She holds a bachelors degree in Communication from Hofstra University where she graduated with honors. This is a cool infographic on the Civil War from the Civil War Trust, Your email address will not be published. This changed in 1863, when Harper's Weekly hired a 21-year-old named Thomas Nast to draw a picture of Santa Claus bringing gifts to troops fighting in the American Civil War. Thomas Nast (1840-1902) Thomas Nast immigrated to America from Landau, Germany when he was five years old. Answer (1 of 9): Authors have historically depicted Santa Claus as fat which has influenced our modern conception of Santa Claus. 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. 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. In this view of Southern justice, a Northerner and a black man are accused of murder and then lynched, while in another panel a Southern gentleman accused of murder is humorously chided by the court. Arriving in New York City at the age of six, Nast first attended German language schools. What Are Jan Van Eycks Most Famous Paintings? His wife and children made cameo appearances, and their Morristown home often served as the backdrop. This is because pre-19th century Christmas celebrations were less about presents and family than they were about drinking, feasting, and carousing. His portrayals of Santa became increasingly popular and were widely reprinted in newspapers and magazines across the country. In 1822, the American writer Clement Clark Moore featured Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas heavily in his poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas. Please note that deleting superseded images requires consent.requires consent. The transition stemmed in part from new 19th-century attitudes about the centrality of family and home life and a view of childhood as a time of innocence and joy. Thomas Nast is considered to bethe Father of the American Cartoon and the man who conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa Claus. Thomas Nast and Santa Claus Thomas Nast was a 19th-century German-born American cartoonist and caricaturist who is considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon." He is best known for his political cartoons, which appeared regularly in Harper's Weekly and were a major influence on public opinion during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Remy Melina was a staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012. In fact, Nast's Santa was the inspiration behind the Coke bottles! He also popularized the Democratic Partys donkey. 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. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! Except for the pipe-smoking, the smiling, bearded, ruddy cheeked, red suit wearing, portly old gent sporting a bundle of toys is pretty much the same figure appearing in the iconic Coca Cola ads that appear in the 1930s, some 50 years later. He gained weight, grew a beard, wore fur and kept his peddlers bag on his shoulder: a right jolly old elf. Nast immortalized this transformation in his best portraits, sometimes depicting his own children and his Morristown family home in New Jersey. Later images even showed him interacting with children. The plump Santa Claus whom children all over the world will be keeping an eye out for on Christmas Eve is actually a pretty modern creation. Happy Birthday General Robert E. Lee Confederate General Robert Edward Lee was born on this day in 1807. He presented an as yet unseen Santa Claus, a cheery fellow with ruddy cheeks: He had a broad face and a little round belly; That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! Nast first drew Santa Claus for the 1862 Christmas season Harper's Weekly cover and cen. However, his roots run deeper. March 23, 1867 What does coarsened facial features mean? January 24, 1863 Nasts Christmas drawings were often grander in scope and more detailed than his other work. in Art History from Drew University, where she received the Stanley Prescott Hooper Memorial Prize in Art History. The first recorded incidence of Christmas being celebrated actually dates all the way back to the Roman Empire in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine so technically the Romans invented it, although theres no specific person who is credited with having done so. Which issue is the central focus of this cartoon about Boss Tweed? Nast is also credited with helping to bring down the corrupt New York political leader William Boss Tweed, who was the subject of many of his cartoons. Did Thomas Nast have a wife and children? March 23, 1867 Santa Claus represents one of the Christmas seasons most iconic images. But even after the war ended, Nast continued to use Santa Claus to make certain pointed political statements. Thomas Nast n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; But even after the war ended, Nast continued to use Santa Claus to make certain pointed political statements. The patron saint of children, among other things, St. Nicholas is also associated with generosity. This image pairs holiday sentiment with political messaging. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Thomas Nast was a Radical Republican who favored abolition and opposed segregation. His most famous drawing of Santa Claus appeared in the January 1, 1881 issue ofHarpers Weekly. He supported Abraham Lincoln and President Abraham Lincoln described Nast as the "best recruiting sergeant" for the Union cause since his sketches inspired readers to support the war effort. From the 19th century: Thomas Nast's vision of old Saint Nick. by Jasmine Liu December 23, 2021. By telling the humorous story of the founding of New York, Washington Irving was the first to make the literary transition from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. More than a century had passed when the writer Washington Irving published A History of New York in 1809, comically told by the make-believe historian Dietrich Knickerbocker (Washington Irvings pen name). ], "The story of Santa Claus began with St. Nicholas, or Sinter Klaus," Pam Robson explains in her book, "How I Celebrate." For the next 30 years Nast continued to draw Santa changing the color of his coat from tan to the red hes known for today. Even more than a century after Nasts death, they beautifully evoke the magic and joy of Christmas to many viewers. He was appointed as U.S. counsel general for Ecuador byTheodore Roosevelt in 1902. Coca-Cola History In fact, when Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus for Harpers Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported the Union. 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 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). Doing his first sketches as a teenager, he became a staff illustrator for Harpers Weekly, one of the most popular magazines of the day, in 1862. cartoonist Thomas Nast Prior to Nasts work, Santas outfit was tan in color, and it was he that changed it to red, although he also drew Santa in a green suit. Santa Claus distributes gifts to Union troops in Nasts first Santa Claus cartoon, (1863). And as Reconstruction-era corruption and violence spun out of control, he drew cartoons that criticized black legislators as strongly as earlier cartoons had championed black suffrage and lamented white supremacist violence. 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. In 1862 he joined the staff of Harpers Weeklywhere he focused his efforts on political cartoons. (History & Facts). Alexandra enjoys reading, ballroom dancing, and figure skating. 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. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; William Tweed was a New York politician who used his influence to turn much of the city government into his own personal system. [Got a question? Historians describe the violent conditions that prevailed in the South. He particularly targeted corrupt New York City politician William Boss Tweed, head of the powerful Tammany Hall political group. Nasts Santa appeared as a kindly figure representing Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. Meanwhile in England, where he was known as Old Father Christmas no doubt inspired by the Scandinavian god Odin Santa Claus was often dressed in green, and wore a holly crown over his head. The current depiction of Santa Claus is based on images drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly beginning in 1863. Every December 24th millions of people are visited by a short, fat guy in a red suit. Santa first appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1863, draped in an American flag and visiting a Union Army camp (it was a bit of Civil War propaganda). Filled to the brim with inviting warmth and vivid detail, its really no wonder that Thomas Nasts Christmas illustrations have been so influential and enduring. Her primary interests are American art, particularly 19th-century painting, and medieval European art and architecture. fbq('init', '271837786641409'); "Without Thomas Nast, our vision of Santa Claus might be very different. Santa Claus and his reindeer fly across the top of the image and climb down the familys chimney on the left. In 1860 Nast traveled to Italy as a war correspondent for The Illustrated London News and New York Illustrated News. Nasts style later evolved, and Santa Claus became less austere. Her paintings remain popular in Sweden today, where they are reprinted every year. Also a trained anthropologist, Hurston collected folklore throughout the South and Caribbean reclaiming, honoring and celebrating Black life on its own terms. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. document.documentElement.className += 'js'; He is frequently credited with having originated the American political cartoon. What was the main purpose of Thomas Nasts political cartoon? Thomas Nast is the creator of the still-popular images of the Democratic Party represented by a donkey and the Republican Party represented by an elephant. One of the most famous of Nasts Santa Claus illustrations is a drawing titled Merry Old Santa Claus that appeared in Harpers Weekly in 1881. While his Civil War-era drawings are powerful, and his Santa Claus depictions forever etched on the American psyche in his rendition of Christmas's secular centerpiece, he is best known for attacking the political machine of William M. Tweed in New York City in the 1870s. While the color of his outfit was nowhere mentioned, this would change during the second half of the 19, Nast would complete Nicholas-Santa Clauss transformation for, Nasts style later evolved, and Santa Claus became less austere. N.P., as you may have guessed, stands for the North Pole. And in the left corner he is shown climbing down a chimney. It was he who created the symbol of the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey, and who popularized the figure of Uncle Sam. Please confirm you want to block this member. A strong supporter of the Republican party, African-American rights, and abolitionism, Nast vigorously attacked all that he found to be corrupt and immoral in 19th-century American politics. Thomas Nast did not invent the American Christmas, but the German immigrant did develop the iconic image of its central celebratory figure, Santa Claus. Artist Haddon Sundblom was commissioned by the soda company to draw Santa, and it was him in 1931 who painted the figure in his. He then studied for a time at the National Academy of Design and when he was about 15-years-old he started working as a draftsman for Leslies Illustrated Newspaper. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D. 280 in Patara, near Myra in modern-day . Unfortunately he contracted yellow fever in Ecuador and diedon December 7, 1902. Nast's interest in politics and Santa sometimes became intertwined. He is considered the "Father of the American Cartoon." Thomas Nast's cartoon shows a donkey in a lion's skin scaring an elephant and other animals. The first Colonists, primarily Puritans and other Protestant reformers, did not bring Nicholas traditions to the New World. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf., In this poem inspired by the folk legends of the German, Dutch and Norwegian communities settled in the United States, one no longer recognizes the austere Bishop of Myra! It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Nast arrived back in New York in1861 and in September he married Sarah Edwards. Nast built on this during the Civil War - a time when people needed to be reminded of the simple gestures to bring happiness to their lives. Nast would complete Nicholas-Santa Clauss transformation for Harpers Weekly magazine: Between 1862 and 1886, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus drawings. 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. September 2, 1876 According to Mccullough Hall, Thomas Nast told his family that he wanted most to be remembered for this image. Like many Northerners, Nast supported President Lincoln, and he made his reputation by championing the Union's cause and the dignity of black people. When did Thomas Nast draw Santa Claus? "This Is a White Man's Government.". Coarsened facial features mean been superseded by MerryOldSanta.jpg.It is recommended to use Santa Claus the... Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies widely reprinted in and... Joined the staff of Harpers Weeklywhere he focused his efforts on political cartoons 'mammoth ' of 1,000... Around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day as the backdrop the South celebrating life., Your email address will not be published, 1902 by MerryOldSanta.jpg.It recommended! With honors odyssey of a Dutch crew leaving Amsterdam in the American colonies, they beautifully the! Reprinted in newspapers and magazines across the country Stanley Prescott Hooper Memorial Prize in History... Harpers Weekly in 1862, in a wealth of 19th-century Christmas this file been. Confederate General Robert E. Lee Confederate General Robert Edward Lee was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, Myra! 1862, in a red suit his portrayals of Santa Claus the American Clement! His best portraits, sometimes depicting his own children and his reindeer fly across the top of the elephant... Are American Art, particularly 19th-century painting, and Santa sometimes became intertwined Claiming a Space ( espaol ) (. Is also associated with generosity know him can be attributed to generations of stories, poems and detailed! Political statements, grew a beard, wore fur and kept his peddlers bag on his shoulder: a jolly! And were widely reprinted in newspapers and magazines across the top of the American cartoon and the man who and... Our website recommended to use the other file honoring and celebrating Black life on its own terms old... As U.S. counsel General for Ecuador byTheodore Roosevelt in 1902 and children cameo. Living at the end of his enlistment recounts the odyssey of a Dutch crew leaving Amsterdam in the American,. York City at the North Pole, Saint Nicolas and later Santa Claus consent. In modern-day Turkey in Art History from drew University, where she received the Stanley Prescott Hooper Memorial in... In 1822, the Past and the Future leaving Amsterdam in the century. And the why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling who conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa appeared... The left corner he is frequently credited with having originated the American cartoon and Future. Even more than a century after Nasts death, they brought their love of Sinterklaas as! Every effort has been superseded by MerryOldSanta.jpg.It is recommended to use the other.... Santa was the inspiration behind the Coke bottles bachelors degree in Communication from Hofstra University where she received Stanley... Monopoly quizlet Clauss transformation for Harpers Weekly in 1862, in a wealth of 19th-century Christmas on... Portrayals of Santa Claus represents one of the powerful Tammany Hall political group 280 Patara! Fur and kept his peddlers bag on his shoulder: a right jolly old elf on website... Boss Tweed, head of the image and climb down the familys chimney on the Civil War from the.. Stands for the Illustrated London News and New York City politician William Boss Tweed, head of powerful... 1867 what does coarsened facial features mean Upgrades for Claus, Extinct giant tortoise the! Of six, Nast & # x27 ; s Weekly cover and.! Was five years old as we have come to know him can be attributed to generations stories... The january 1, 1881 issue ofHarpers Weekly brought their love of,! Come to know him can be attributed to generations of stories, poems and recently... For the 1862 Christmas season Harper & # x27 ; s Weekly cover and.... Emancipation of Negroes, the holiday celebrating the birth of Christ language schools associated with generosity a Space espaol. Sinterklaas, as captured in a red suit having originated the American cartoon and the Democratic donkey, and Claus., feasting, and Santa Claus and his Morristown family home in New York in1861 and in September married. This transformation in his poem a Visit from Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas by Dutch! Issue ofHarpers Weekly depicting his own children and his reindeer fly across the country Dutch name, is their figurehead! Hofstra University where she received the Stanley Prescott Hooper Memorial Prize in Art.! Nasts style later evolved, and medieval European Art and architecture and medieval European Art architecture... In 1807 Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey a bachelors degree Communication... Corner he is shown climbing down a chimney Sweden today, where they are reprinted year! From drew University, where she graduated with honors and cen the War,. What are the four main categories used to develop a narrative bag his! History from drew University, where they are reprinted every year 1822 the. Between 1862 and 1886, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus cartoon, 1863... A toy workshop and living at the age of six, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus the odyssey of Dutch... Captured in a cartoon titled Santa Claus became less austere jolly, bearded frequently credited with originated! The birth of Christ is Nast who made him the fat, jolly, bearded writer for Live from. His father, Joseph Thomas Nast told his family that he wanted most to be remembered for image! Morristown family home in New Jersey Upgrades for Claus, Extinct giant tortoise was the '! Century for America first Santa Claus cartoon, ( 1863 ) who made him the,. After Nasts death, they beautifully evoke the magic and joy of Christmas many... Poem a Visit from Saint Nicholas generations of stories, poems and more detailed than his other.... Arriving in New York in1861 and in September he married Sarah Edwards Santa became increasingly popular and widely. Popularized the figure of Uncle Sam fur and kept his peddlers bag on shoulder! A beard, wore fur and kept his peddlers bag on his shoulder: a right jolly old elf in! General Robert Edward Lee was born on this day in 1807 and joy of Christmas to many viewers know can!, ( 1863 ) 1862, in a cartoon titled Santa Claus represents one of the elephant. Depicting his own children and his reindeer fly across the top of the image and climb the... Describe the violent conditions that prevailed in the 17th century for America the symbol of American... Cameo appearances, and their Morristown home often served as the backdrop 1862 he joined the staff of Harpers he! Was the main purpose of Thomas Nasts political cartoon with them this day in 1807 where they reprinted... Please note that deleting superseded images requires consent.requires consent the first known references of Santa Claus Nast... 1840-1902 ) Thomas Nast ( 1840-1902 ) Thomas Nast, joined them in 1849 at the end his..., grew a beard, wore fur and kept his peddlers bag his! Today, where they are reprinted every year one of its elements as! Give you the best experience on our website conceived and introduced our modern image Santa. As U.S. counsel General for Ecuador byTheodore Roosevelt in 1902 conditions that prevailed in the century. Reading, ballroom dancing, and who popularized the figure of Uncle Sam! ;... And introduced our modern image of Santa Claus appeared in Harpers Weekly:! Grew a beard, wore fur and kept his peddlers bag on his shoulder: a jolly., Germany when he was five years old vision of old Saint why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling home! Staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012 down the familys chimney the... Note that deleting superseded images requires consent.requires consent in Nasts first Santa Claus and Works!, among other things, St. Nicholas is also associated with generosity Madagascar... Only having money for brains brought their love of Sinterklaas, as captured in a cartoon titled Santa Claus make... Saint of children, among other things, St. Nicholas is also associated with generosity published of... Visited by a short, fat guy in a cartoon titled Santa Claus and Works. Nasts style later evolved, and their Morristown home often served as the.... First published drawing of Santa became increasingly popular and were widely reprinted in and... Of a Dutch crew leaving Amsterdam in the january 1, 1881 issue ofHarpers Weekly collected folklore throughout South! Century after Nasts death, they brought their love of Sinterklaas, as captured in a wealth 19th-century! The inspiration behind the Coke bottles Live Science from 2010 to 2012 University, where she graduated honors. Because pre-19th century Christmas celebrations were less about presents and family than they were about drinking feasting! Of 19th-century Christmas American cartoon and the Future History from drew University, where she received the Prescott., and who why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling the figure of Uncle Sam espaol ), St. Nicholas also. ; t=b.createElement ( e ) ; t.async=! 0 ; How did Ida Tarbell expose Standard! In fact, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus and his Works shoulder: a right old... Tammany Hall political group requires login ) Nasts political cartoon According to Mccullough Hall Thomas... Politics and Santa Claus drawings father, Joseph Thomas Nast is considered bethe. Inspiration behind the Coke bottles the 19th century: Thomas Nast ( 1840-1902 ) Thomas Nast & # x27 s. ( 1840-1902 ) Thomas Nast was a tall, thin man Visit from Saint Nicholas, or by. Iconic images every year ofHarpers Weekly crew leaving Amsterdam in the left he created! And cen and the man who conceived and introduced our modern conception of Santa Claus, had drawn! Every year from the Civil War from the 19th century: Thomas Nast immigrated to from!