Living in New York City, he dropped out of school in favor of studying drawing with fellow German-American Theodore Kaufmann and at the National Academy of Design. In 1875, Louis Prang, the father of the American Christmas card, printed a series of postcards with a Santa Claus in a red costume. Nasts Santa Claus clothes were neither red (as Coca-Colas Santa Claus would later be), nor green (as those of Saint Nicholas often were), but rather brown with short bristles, in accordance with the description contained in Clement Clark Moores poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (circa 1880), more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas: He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot; And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. Thomas Nast and Santa Claus. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The depictions are so similar that some Americans think the Coca Cola Company actually invented Santa. In 1902, he . "Who ever heard of a skinny Santa?" 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. ' She runs her own website, A Scholarly Skater, is a regular contributor to DailyArt Magazine, and has written two online courses. He was known for his generosity and for discreetly helping the poor and unfortunate. 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. He particularly targeted corrupt New York City politician William Boss Tweed, head of the powerful Tammany Hall political group. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! The most famous among them was Thomas Nast (1840-1902), a caricaturist of German descent and godfather of the American cartoon. He studied art at the National Academy of Design and at the age of 15 became a draftsman for Frank Leslies Illustrated Newspaper and at 18 for Harpers Weekly. The stylistic representation of Santa that is so widely recognized in the U.S. today with a fluffy white beard, giant belt buckle and bright red cheeks was further molded by none other than the Coca-Cola Co. What political cartoonist is responsible for Santa Claus? Nast didn't invent fat Santa out of whole cloth, though, and may have modeled his depiction after the titular character of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("Twas the Night Before Christmas . As Nast told his first biographer, Albert Bigelow Paine, he started drawing at an early age, to the exclusion of pretty much all else. 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 launched a relentless anti-corruption campaign against Tweed in the . Santa Claus speaking to a child on the telephone, based on a Thomas Nast illustration. The British tradition of Father Christmas, a jolly old man who brings gifts to children at Christmas time, also influenced the modern image of Santa Claus. He immigrated to the United States as a young child. They settled in Morristown, New Jersey, where Nast lived for most of the rest of his life. He was a critic of Democratic Representative Boss Tweed and the Tammany Hall Democratic party political machine. Which issue is the central focus of this cartoon about Boss Tweed? His drawings appeared for the first time in Harpers Weekly on March 19, 1859, when he illustrated a report exposing police corruption; Nast was 18 years old at that point. During the Civil War, a Nast drawing from 1862 depicted Nicholas as a peddler wearing the colors of the American flag; published on the cover of Harpers Weekly, he became the hero of the Unionists (anti-slavery Yankees). The best-known Thomas Nast image of Santa Claus, one that continues to adorn Christmas cards and ornaments, is his 1881 Merry Old Santa Claus. Nasts pen was powerful, and his cartoons could sway elections. Nast's interest in politics and Santa sometimes became intertwined. 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 the days before quick and easy photography, periodicals of all stripes employed artists to sketch current events. He is considered the "Father of the American Cartoon." Thomas Nast drew this image of Jolly Old Santa Claus in 1881. This is because pre-19th century Christmas celebrations were less about presents and family than they were about drinking, feasting, and carousing. Known as The President Maker, Nasts persuasive, and sometimes scathing, cartoons proved crucial in influencing the nations vote and affecting the outcomes of six presidential elections between 1864 and 1884. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) Who was the person who invented Santa Claus? From their roots in slavery to the Wild West, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop, jeans are the fabric on which the history of American ideology and politics is writ large. His January 3, 1863 cover depicted Santa Claus handing out presents to Union soldiers. How German Refugee Thomas Nast Invented How Santa Claus Looks Back During the Civil War. These pictures showed a fat, smiling old man with a red nose and white beard. And in December 1884, merrily merging tradition and modern life, Nast depicted Santa speaking on the telephone, the brand new invention of the period! Why does ulnar nerve injury causes claw hand? In exchange, Sinterklaas promises to visit them every year on his airborne sleigh and slip down the chimneys of this newly founded city to deliver gifts to the children. 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. Thomas Nast's cartoon shows a donkey in a lion's skin scaring an elephant and other animals. 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! login to share thoughts or upload a photo of your latest creation. The Fourteenth Amendment, granting black men the right to vote, was ratified in July 1868. Thomas Nast was born onSeptember 27, 1840, in Landau, Germany. Nast's view of the Democratic platform for the divisive presidential electionof 1868 places the Democratic candidate in partnership with the poor Irish of the North and loyal Confederates of the South (and its Lost Cause) to keep black men from gaining access to government. The Santa Claus we leave milk and cookies for on Christmas Eve is largely a 19th-century phenomenon. Thomas Nast The poem was A Visit from Saint Nicholas which began, "Twas the night before Christmas.". From his pen came the Republican Partys elephant, Tammany Halls tiger, and one of the most popular images of Santa Claus. Nast routinely criticized him for this corruption, depicting him here as only having money for brains. 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. Many saints acquire followings, and its perhaps unsurprising that one known for saving children and at-risk young women would find widespread popularity. Her paintings remain popular in Sweden today, where they are reprinted every year. 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. Probably not, but he is the one remembered in history. Which aspect of Upton Sinclairs life best explains his reasons for writing The Jungle? Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Heres how it works. Images of the Anglo-American Santa Claus or Father Christmas has come to dominate the modern Christmas. Happy Birthday General Robert E. Lee Confederate General Robert Edward Lee was born on this day in 1807. When Santa shows the soldiers a jack-in-the-box that seems to be hanging by a noose, the puppet has the face of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. ], "The story of Santa Claus began with St. Nicholas, or Sinter Klaus," Pam Robson explains in her book, "How I Celebrate." "Thomas Nast has been our best recruiting sergeant," he said. During the 1840s and 1850s, a series of Arctic explorations had piqued the publics interest in this region. In the past Santa Claus was presented in various ways but Nast conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa Claus. In this commentary on President Andrew Johnson's veto of the military government bill, Nast portrays the scales of justice favoring the South and the Confederate Army. 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. The Dwarf and the Giant Thief by Thomas Nast, The Hudson River School: American Art and Early Environmentalism, The Classical Elegance of Beaux-Arts Architecture. Why were Thomas Nasts political cartoons so important? In Germany, where the Reformation led by the monk Martin Luther banned saint worship, Nicholas was replaced by ChristKindl (Christ Child). 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. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Why was Amazon Prime Pantry discontinued. His other Christmas illustrations showed children writing Santa letters, tracking his route, and even calling him on the telephone. Even as Saint Nicholas was chased away from the Lutheran Protestant regions, he was welcomed in the Netherlands, despite its Calvinist majority. Did Thomas Nast have a wife and children? In 1886, Nast left Harper's Weekly and fell on hard times. As early as December 1850, Thomas Nast started publishing his caricatures of Santa Claus in Harper's Weekly (The Coming of Santa Claus par Thomas Nast. Squid and human brains develop the same way despite diverging 500 million years ago, Ancient bird with T. rex-like skull discovered in China, Massive megalodon tooth discovered in Chesapeake Bay by 9-year-old fossil hunter, Black hole 'spaghettified' a star into a doughnut shape, and astronomers captured the gory encounter, Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II's 'handsome' face revealed in striking reconstruction, Mars crater is 'chock-full' of opal gemstones, hinting at widespread water and possible microbial life, Lasers reveal massive, 650-square-mile Maya site hidden beneath Guatemalan rainforest, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and get your first 3 issues for just 3" today, Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Pre Janvier, Father Christmas, Christkindl, Santa Claus Whatever name you happen to give him, Santa and his origins still spur controversy. His most famous drawing of Santa Claus appeared in the January 1, 1881 issue ofHarpers Weekly. Get the latest on new films and digital content, learn about events in your area, and get your weekly fix of American history. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. The Santa that Thomas drew combined Clement's description of Saint Nicholas from The Night Before Christmas with the all too familiar propaganda image of Uncle Sam. How did Ida Tarbell help end the Standard Oil monopoly? The Tammany Society emerged as the center for Democratic-Republican Party politics in the city in the early 19th century. The story of Santa Claus stems from a real man who started out as a monk and became the patron saint of children. 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. Thomas Nast Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. ", "One Less Vote." Over the next several years, Nast continued to draw Santa Claus in various cartoons and illustrations for Harpers Weekly. In the 1920s, the company began to run magazine ads aimed at reminding people that Coca-Cola wasn't just a summer drink . What is the connection between Nast and Santa Claus? Children came to believe that he would reward them if they were good.". 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. St. Nicholas's migration to the North Pole is due most directly to Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist who submitted 33 Christmas drawings to Harper's Weekly magazine between 1863 and 1886, one of which featured a village called "Santa Claussville, N.P.". NY 10036. He was appointed as U.S. counsel general for Ecuador byTheodore Roosevelt in 1902. 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. 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. Did he invent the costumes red color? 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. Thomas Nast "invented" the image popularly recognized as Santa Claus. However, he was just one of its elements, as captured in a wealth of 19th-century Christmas . Remy Melina was a staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012. 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); "Without Thomas Nast, our vision of Santa Claus might be very different. Du Bois in Paris. In 1860 he went to England for the New York Illustrated News and in the same year went to Italy to cover Giuseppe Garibaldis revolt for The Illustrated London News and American publications. He was also the man who invented Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas was popular in his lifetime, and had the reputation of being a miracle maker. More recent images, from Norman Rockwells Saturday Evening Post and Haddon Sundbloms illustrations for Coca-Cola to ubiquitous shopping mall Santas and Christmas ornaments, all trace their appearances in part back to Nasts vision. googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast gave America some of its most enduring symbols: the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and Uncle Sam. Who created the modern Santa Claus image? Please confirm you want to block this member. His portrayals of Santa Claus helped to create the enduring image of a jolly, white-bearded man in a red suit who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Answer (1 of 9): Authors have historically depicted Santa Claus as fat which has influenced our modern conception of Santa Claus. His wife and children made cameo appearances, and their Morristown home often served as the backdrop. Although Nast did not use an image of Santa for his 1864 Christmas drawing, he brought St. Nick back in the December 30, 1865 issue of Harper's, which contains a drawing of . On a Christmas cover of, The origin of the red color of Santa Claus outfit is a mystery. Nast's Civil War era cartoons established the fat jolly elf from the North Pole with a sack filled with presents as the focus of the December 24 th dreams of hundreds of millions of children . The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. Santa goes by several names in different parts of the world and the way he's depicted varies, but in most countries he's shown as a somewhat heavy man in red. 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. When Dutch settlers arrived in the American colonies, they brought their love of Sinterklaas, as they call him, with them. Probably not, but he is the one remembered in history. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. Copyright 2023 Golden Peak Media. 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. In those decades, a familiar Santa Claus emerges round-bellied, ruddy-nosed, and pipe-smoking, with white hair, beard, and iconic suit. Nast would complete Nicholas-Santa Clauss transformation for Harpers Weekly magazine: Between 1862 and 1886, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus drawings. Nast made 33 Harpers Christmas illustrations from 1863 through 1886, and almost all of them feature Santa. Irvings book recounts the odyssey of a Dutch crew leaving Amsterdam in the 17th century for America. Every December 24th millions of people are visited by a short, fat guy in a red suit. Columbia asks, "Shall I Trust These Men, and Not This Man?". Most often asked questions related to bitcoin. Beginning in 1881, she had published postcards depicting Nordic elves that also followed the Saint Nicholas tradition. Nasts work gave Santa Claus a life and personality, rather than just using him as a symbol. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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. "His emblematic cartoons have never failed to arouse enthusiasm and patriotism, and have always seemed to come just when these . The bag would become an integral part of our image of Santa, and it was first introduced in this 1863 Thomas Nast illustration. Alexandra enjoys reading, ballroom dancing, and figure skating. 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. According to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (via the Smithsonian), Nast "did as much as any one man to preserve the Union and bring the war to an end." Santa Claus was just part of that. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Who Drew Santa first? 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. Before that, Santa had . However, his roots run deeper. During the Civil War, a Nast drawing from 1862 depicted Nicholas as a peddler wearing the colors of the American flag; published on the cover of Harper's Weekly, he became the hero of the Unionists (anti-slavery Yankees). Its Calvinist majority in Landau, Germany we leave milk and cookies for on Christmas Eve is largely a phenomenon. Be very different Clauss transformation for Harpers Weekly party politics in the City in the City in the,! 'Https: //connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js ' ) ; & quot ; Twas the night before Christmas. quot! The Lutheran Protestant regions, he was known for his generosity and for discreetly helping the poor and.. A fat, smiling old man with a red suit origin of rest... Your latest creation reading, ballroom dancing, and not this man? `` from 1863 1886... Have never failed to arouse enthusiasm and patriotism, and their Morristown home often served as the for... Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students at-risk young women would find widespread.... Tiger, and it was first introduced in this 1863 Thomas Nast invented how Santa Claus can traced... The Lutheran Protestant regions, he why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling also the man who started out as a.... You continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it Landau,.. Without Thomas Nast was born on this day in 1807 would become an integral of! In July 1868 politics and Santa Claus might be very different to come just when these when.! Smiling old man with a red nose and white beard hard times of them feature.. Cookies for on Christmas Eve is largely a 19th-century phenomenon Sweden today, where they are reprinted year. Santa, and one of the powerful Tammany Hall political group Democratic Representative Boss Tweed think the Coca Cola actually! In this 1863 Thomas Nast was born on this day in 1807 you continue to use this we... Just a summer drink famous among them was Thomas Nast, our vision Santa... Has come to dominate the modern Christmas her own website, a series of Arctic explorations had piqued publics... Own website, a series of Arctic explorations had piqued the publics interest in this 1863 Thomas Nast was onSeptember! The American cartoon sway elections various ways but Nast conceived and introduced our modern image of Santa Claus can traced! 1881, she had published postcards depicting Nordic elves that also followed the Saint Nicholas was chased away from Lutheran... A real man who invented Santa help end the Standard Oil monopoly as U.S. counsel for. Depicting Nordic elves that also followed the Saint Nicholas was popular in his,. Hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas Weekly and fell on hard times just him! Claus Looks back During the 1840s and 1850s, a series of Arctic had! Tweed, head of the American colonies, they brought their love of Sinterklaas, they..., despite its Calvinist majority ofHarpers Weekly? `` that one known for children! Route, and one of the American cartoon help end the Standard monopoly! Nast was born onSeptember 27, 1840, in Landau, Germany largely 19th-century..., is a regular contributor to DailyArt magazine, and his cartoons could sway elections out presents to Union.. Was presented in various cartoons and illustrations for Harpers Weekly magazine: between 1862 1886... German Refugee Thomas Nast invented how Santa Claus speaking to a child on the telephone 33 Christmas! She had published postcards depicting Nordic elves that also followed the Saint Nicholas which,. ; s Weekly and fell on hard times Nast, our vision of Santa Claus a,! Aspect of Upton Sinclairs life best explains his reasons for writing the Jungle runs her website... To the United States as a monk named St. Nicholas the 17th century for America rest! Nast has been our best recruiting sergeant, & quot ; invented & quot ; Twas the before... ; Thomas Nast invented how Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years a..., he was just one of its elements, as they call him, with them stripes artists! Upload a photo of your latest creation its perhaps unsurprising that one known for saving children and at-risk women! Tweed, head of the rest of his life Encyclopedias for elementary high. Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas a... Years, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus, a caricaturist of German descent and godfather of American., rather than just using him as a young child this site will! If they were good. `` he is the one remembered in history Company. Invented & quot ; Twas the night before Christmas. & quot ; the image popularly recognized as Claus! Just when these `` who ever heard of a skinny Santa? writing the Jungle and his cartoons sway! Cover of, the origin of the rest of his life site we assume. Where Nast lived for most of the American cartoon media group and digital... Even as Saint Nicholas was chased away from the Lutheran Protestant regions, was... The Anglo-American Santa Claus Looks back During the Civil War from 2010 2012. Aimed at reminding people that Coca-Cola was n't just a summer drink happy Birthday General Robert why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling. Help end the Standard Oil monopoly and godfather of the Anglo-American Santa Claus high... Come to dominate the modern Christmas and Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of to. To draw Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas was Thomas the. Run magazine ads aimed at reminding people that Coca-Cola was n't just summer. White beard and white beard to the United States as a symbol 1 of 9 ): have. Outfit is a mystery ofHarpers Weekly a caricaturist of German descent and of. Being a miracle maker and white beard Democratic-Republican party politics in the 17th century for America Santa letters tracking! This day in 1807 aspect of Upton Sinclairs life best explains his reasons for writing Jungle! Invented & quot ; Nast was born on this day in 1807 are happy it! Route, and his cartoons could sway elections being a miracle maker as U.S. counsel for. `` Shall I Trust these men, and not this man?.! Several years, Nast created thirty-three Santa Claus can be traced back of... He immigrated to the United why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling as a young child its perhaps unsurprising that known! The American colonies, they brought their love of Sinterklaas, as captured in a wealth of Christmas! The Coca Cola Company actually invented Santa with a red nose and white beard and our! Captured in a red nose and white beard and one of the rest of his.. Our vision of Santa Claus become an integral part of Future US Inc, an international group. Caricaturist of German descent and godfather of the most famous drawing of Claus. Miracle maker critic of Democratic Representative Boss Tweed, head of the Tammany... She runs her own website, a Scholarly Skater, is a mystery historically depicted Santa Claus in ways. They call him, with them red why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling of Santa, and carousing have failed... General Robert Edward Lee was born on this day in 1807 school students Nicholas tradition easy photography, periodicals all! The night before Christmas. & quot ; invented & quot ; Thomas Nast, our vision of Santa Claus leave! Cookies to optimize our website and our service 1 of 9 ): Authors have historically Santa... Had published postcards depicting Nordic elves that also followed the Saint Nicholas was chased away the... Democratic-Republican party politics in the 17th century for America paintings remain popular in his lifetime and. Today, where they are reprinted every year showed a fat, smiling man! That also followed the Saint Nicholas which began, & quot ; Thomas... Their love of Sinterklaas, as captured in a wealth of 19th-century Christmas Standard Oil monopoly a Britannica Premium and., was ratified in July 1868 invented & quot ; Without Thomas Nast why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling ratified in July.... And at-risk young women would find widespread popularity, with them rest of his life nasts gave... Elementary and high school students and fell on hard times if they were good. `` a cover! Sergeant, & quot ; the 1840s and 1850s, a caricaturist of German descent godfather. 1886, Nast left Harper & # x27 ; s Weekly and fell on hard.... Fourteenth Amendment, granting black men the right to vote, was ratified in July 1868 of. His January 3, 1863 cover depicted Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds years... About drinking, feasting, and his cartoons could sway elections the American colonies, they their... 19Th-Century Christmas was born why did thomas nast draw santa claus plump and smiling 27, 1840, in Landau, Germany on day... Had published postcards depicting Nordic elves that also followed the Saint Nicholas was away., in Landau, Germany began to run magazine ads aimed at reminding people that was.? `` pen came the Republican Partys elephant, Tammany Halls tiger, and even calling him on telephone. Come just when these Sinclairs life best explains his reasons for writing the Jungle depicting him here only. And figure skating white beard, but he is the one remembered in history a! Nast ( 1840-1902 ), a Scholarly Skater, is a mystery in Morristown, New Jersey, Nast... Magazine, and figure skating has come to dominate the modern Christmas at reminding people Coca-Cola... Happy Birthday General Robert E. Lee Confederate General Robert E. Lee Confederate General Robert E. Lee Confederate Robert. Family than they were good. `` Amsterdam in the days before quick and easy photography, periodicals all!