Some Old-Fashioned Christmas Paintings and Christmas Pictures for Art Lovers this holiday
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Carl Larsson and his model family
The Christmas holiday is a special, magical time of year, and the images in art that best conjure up that warm, cosy feeling of anticipation and celebration are often those that have been around a long time and have somehow imprinted themselves on our sub-conscious. Carl Larsson's wonderful illustrations offer some of the best known and best loved images of childhood, and this watercolour drawing of Carl Larsson's daughter Brita dressed for the Christmas holiday is no exception. It was designed for the title page of the 1901 Christmas edition of 'Idun', and is an engaging example of Larsson's joyfilled, cheerful art.
Brita was the fifth child of Carl Larsson, and she and her six siblings frequently featured in his paintings and illustrations.
The Angel by Edward Burne-Jones
Burne-Jones's breath-taking pre-Raphaelite angel
I love the beautiful images produced by Burne-Jones, and this gorgeous Angel is no exception. I live only a few miles from Burne-Jones's former home at Rottingdean in West Sussex and there are many examples of his work around locally including some excellent stained glass windows. Willowy, ethereal women were often featured in his work, and the far away look in their eyes evokes a feeling of mystery, and sometimes sadness.
This painting of an angel was executed in oil on board and may be seen in the Gasgow Museum of Art in Scotland.
Christmas morning 1894 by Carl Larsson
A Swedish family Christmas
This painting from 1894 features five of the Larsson children at play with their holiday gifts. The interiors in Larsson's work are all based on his own home, and they have a distinctive Swedish feel to them.
The children seem very pleased with their new toys!
Under the Christmas Tree by Franz Skarbina 1892
An Impressionistic Christmas
What a gorgeously Impressionistic work this is! Franz Skarbina's evocative work was painted in 1892 and hangs in the Stiftung Stadtmuseum in Berlin. The seated dollies certainly have a fine view of the candle-lit tree, and the subtle lights reflect beautifully on the little girl's white dress, as she shows off the table top nativity scene to the baby.
The Shepherds Adoration of the new-born baby Jesus
Beautiful crib scene by Murillo
Bartome Murillo painted this moving crib scene in the 17th century. Mary shows her new-born son to the admiring shepherds. Very gently she supports her son, and the tender expression on her face is tinged with awe as though she is already anticipating great things from him.
The meeting of the magi
From Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc De Berry
The fantastically detailed illustrations commissioned from the Limbourg brothers in the 15th century by Jean, Duc de Berry are famous for their jewel bright colours and high quality draftsmanship. Here we see the Magi coming together before setting off on their quest to find the Christ child.
The Shortening Winter's Day by David Farquarson
Check your Christmas Cards. You may have one of these!
David Farquarson was a nineteenth century artist with a great knack for painting stunning winter landscapes. 'The Shortening Winter's Day Draws to a Close', is probably the best example. I read recently that it is the most popular painting ever to feature on a Christmas card, so I'm sure you'll have seen it before!
Weihnachtsmarkt Berlin 1892
The Christmas Market, Berlin by Franz Skarbina
Painted in 1892, this incredibly detailed water colour beautifully evokes the bustling Christmas market on a cold and wintry day in Berlin. The picture is 87 x 115cm in size, and shows great artistic skill to have achieved so much precision in such a difficult medium.
A Winter's Day by Paul Gustave Fischer
A Winter's Day on Kongens Nytorv Copenhagen
The imposing woman wrapped in her furs stares at us out of the picture plane as though captured in a frozen instant going about her business on this cold, icy day. The influence of photography is evident in the composition, as it is in many works of art from the late 19th century. The blinkered horse with it's face in a nose bag hints at a continuation beyond the picture frame. In the distance a bus waits to collect passengers, and it's cheery red paintwork provides a splash of colour to liven up the wintry landscape.
A Christmas Party by George Henry Durrie, 1852
A Christmas Party - fun in the snow
This glorious scene of fun and frolics in a snowy landscape was painted in 1852 by George Henry Durrie (1820-1863), and is now on display at the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and art in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Durrie was primarily a landscape artist, who specialised in rural genre scenes and wintry scenes such as this one, all based around New England.
Christmas Eve 1904 by Carl Larsson
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Christmas Eve in the Larsson House 1904
Carl Larsson and his wife Karin lived in a house called Lilla Hyttnas in Sundborn in Sweden. They had eight children altogether, although, sadly, one of their babies only survived two months, and their son Ulf also died early, aged only eighteen. The family and family life were Carl Larsson's constant joy and inspiration, and the interior seen in this painting is a fine example. The food on the table, the blazing fire, the candles, his daughters with their neatly braided hair, all lovingly detailed.
The little house in Sundborn is still owned by the Larsson family and is open to visitors each summer.
Vorweinacht: Father and son choosing the Christmas tree
Choosing the Christmas Tree
Christmas trees were a traditional part of German celebrations long before the idea spread to the rest of Europe in the 19th century. The little lad in this painting, has ventured out with his father to choose a tree which they will drag home on his sled. The woods are deep with snow, but the two foragers are warmly wrapped, and intent on the task in hand.
Franz Kruger painted this festive scene in the 19th century. Kruger was a German artist who was born in Dessau in 1797, and died in Berlin in 1857. Better known for his many portraits of German royals and aristocracy, Kruger was, nonetheless, a competent landscape artist and genre painter, as we can see here, in this old-fashioned Christmas holiday scene.
A Happy Christmas by Johansen Viggo, 1891
Dancing round the candlelit tree
Dancing around a beautifully decked out Christmas Tree lit by dozens of twinkling candles, the children in Johansen Viggo's painting seem to be having a lot of fun. Painted in 1891, Viggo has perfectly captured a joyful family scene that gives us a glimpse into family life at the end of the nineteenth century.
Johansen Viggo (1851-1935) was a Danish artist who painted with the Skagen Painters, a group who met each year in the north of Jutland. Viggo exhibited in Paris from 1885, and he was greatly influenced by the work of the Impressionists, particularly that of Claude Monet. This influence is very apparent in much of his work from this period.
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I enjoyed Carl Larsen's paintings, and the expression of the older woman holding a basket and looking at Jesus. As I looking at Carl Larsen's children, I was thinking, that its amazing, these children are just like the children of today, they felt joy in getting toys and playing, we humans are so different, yet so alike.
Thanks for this wonderful hub and your comments on the art, as it brought alive. It was enjoyed on a cold, rainy, and quiet evening. :)
Amanda - you pick the art you display so wonderfully and then go on to add to it with just the right words! Such a beautiful collection - just the right prelude to the festive season.
Love Burne-Jones' angel - guess I'm a hopeless romantic but that look in the eyes is wonderful! Thanks for the treat :)
I love Carl Larsen! His work is all over my parent's home and fits with our Skandinavian heritage. But Franz Skarbina, he is something new. I plan to google his work, as I love this image. It reminds me of... Sargent? Who is it that painted a piece depicting a dark haired young girl in a white smock and blue dress? I can visualize the painting but not the artist's signature!
Okay I have been searching for the image in my mind. So far Renoir comes closest. Any thoughts? BTW, I have the apple girl on napkins- my closest friend has a statue of this painting. It is very popular among my Minnesota ilk personage type folk :).
Hi rmr
Thanks for stopping by. I think the angel is my favourite too, although Brita Larssen comes a close second. Burne-Jones painted such haunting images. Have you seen any of his other work such as The Golden Stairs?
Hi Violetsun,
I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Visit again in a few days as I intend to add some more as I come across them. I had to stop last night as it was 1.30am and my eyes were closing!
I know what you mean about the Larssen Christmas morning picture. The pleasure of opening presents never alters, but I don't know if there are any modern artists painting kids opening playstations and nintendos! I guess there might be, but I think the skates and boats and dollies are just right.
Hi Shalini,
Christmas is a special time of year, isn't it? I know consumerism has taken over to a great extent, but all the traditional trappings, the Christmas cards and Christmas music, the festive food, the decorations and the tree, are still as important as ever. We love a bit of nostalgia, and that's what I was aiming for here.
Hi Storytellersrus,
Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you liked the paintings.
I'm not really sure about the painting you mention, although the image that sprang immediately to mind was a Singer Sargent:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Singer
I wondered if you might mean the girl standing on the left as the painting is often cropped to show just her. The only problem is that the girl is wearing a brown dress and not a blue one. If you can remember anything else about the picture let me know and I'll see what I can come up with.
Hi Amanda...yes, it is! And that was some wonderful nostalgia!
btw, your Donkey Oatey's kicking his heels waiting for you amid Paraglider's limericks :D
Thanks. I'll go and check him out!
These are really some lovely images. It is difficult to pick a favorite, but I'd have to go with the Edward Burne-Jones one. Not cluttered, but with lovely details! Thanks for sharing these with us. I like!
I like the Swedish family Christmas, very simple and charming. A few modern day Christmas's like that would do no harm.
Amanda- WOW!! All are so good. I particularly like Brita and Christmas morning (and the busy house scenario was too good). Great hub and excellent collection. I will keep checking back to see the new additions.
These are great! Wonderful choices. Why don't we do more like this today?
Thanks for gathering these.
Hi Chris,
Glad you liked them. Burne-Jones is not quite Banksy, but he has a unique style which makes his work instantly recognisable. Have you seen any of his stained glass designs?
Hi Brian,
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Christmas without the TV and the playstation. Now that would be something!
Hi CW,
Yes, Brita has such a cheerful little face. She's full of fun, and that red outfit is really festive.
Hi RGraf
People love traditional art, but there's not so many artists producing this kind of work these days. It's a pity, as I'm sure there'd be a market for it.
I love 19th century illustration, especially the Pre-Raphaelites! Thank you for this hub. It's so soothing to look at these--so much crap in the world right now, this is such a nice respite. There's a woman illustrator from this late 19th century period that I really like too--I can't think of her name offhand. She does mostly children. If I think of it I'll come back and post it. Thanks Amanda! Lovely hub.
Thanks for the lovely and festive artwork, Amanda! My favorite is the Duc de Berry piece--I'll need to check out the rest of that collection. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Pam
The Pre-Raphaelites are wonderful. The attention to detail is breath-taking. I've seen works by Millais and Holman Hunt and other Pre-raphs in the Ashmolean in Oxford where they have quite a collection, including some of the really famous ones. They are even more impressive in the flesh. Goodness only knows how tiny their brushes must have been! Is the illustrator you mentioned Jessie Wilcox Smith by any chance? I have a book of her work, and it has a similar feel to Larssens.
Hi Melissa
I had a lot of fun rooting around the net for these paintings, but unfortunately I ran out of time last night, and actually posted fewer than I'd intended. Visit again in a few days, as I certainly intend to add a few when I get the opportunity.
I'm glad you like the Meeting of the Magi from Les Tres Riches Heures, and you'll probably enjoy some of the other illustrations from it. It must have been a real labour of love, and it's fantastic that such a fragile work of art has survived in good condition through the centuries.
Amanda, these are great! Love Brita as Iduna. What a an intelligent, happy expression!
Great Hub. I wrote a Hub on Old Fashion Family Christmas and this just warms my heart.
Wonderful hub, don't you just love the real Christmas? Enjoyed your angle, completely different take than the usual suspects!
Hi Aya
Brita is a little star, isn't she? That cheerful red outfit must have looked great on a snowy winters day!
Hi Candace,
I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Feel free to post the link to your Old-Fashioned Christmas hub here!
Hi Denny,
Thanks for visiting, and I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. My children think I'm mad when I choose traditional Christmas cards, but I love a bit of nostalgia!
I love these pictures! They really do invoke the spirit of Christmas - that warm, fuzzy, happy feeling with hints of nostalgia for a world that has come to pass. They take my breath away! Thanks for sharing :D
Hi Cris,
If only we were all as easily pleased as we were years ago. I still love all the traditions of Christmas, but just wish it wasn't so over-commercialised. The happy family world that Larssen shows in his work invokes many happy memories of my own childhood. Growing up as one of six in the 60s and 70s was very different from the high-tec, high expectation world that my children know!
I agree. I can remember a time when Hallmark greeting cards were enough to put a smile on our faces, even tears from our eyes (sigh). the world has indeed moved on...
Glad it's not just me Cris!
Yes, that's the artist--Jessie Wilcox Smith! Thank you! I love her work too.
Hey Amanda! Thanks for your response. My son arrived in town on Saturday and we have been doing the vacation doctor route, checking his vision and health while he is in town, haha. Busy season. I checked the reference you gave me on Sargent and while I love that image, this is not the girl I had in mind. Who knows where I saw this image! It is very like a Sargent, but it could have even been in a children's book illustration that was Sargent-esque. Don't tax your brain about it any longer. Too many bail outs are already in the works- you don't need to help me out, lol. Thanks for all of the lovely images.
Hi Storytellersrus,
Sorry I couldn't identify the image you were after. I guess the motif of a Victorian child in a pinafore is a common one, and could be from any number of sources. Anyway, seasons greetings, and I hope you have a good Christmas!
Hi Amanda - just popped by to wish a wonderful hubber love, peace, joy and everything good in the new year! And have a very happy Christmas too :)
Hi Shalini,
Thank you for your good wishes, and I too wish you a wonderful Christmas, and a joyous 2009!
Thanks Amanda - the feasting's begun - here's hoping the pounds don't get heaped on :D
In my experience a moment on the lips too readily becomes a lifetime on the hips, but at least you have your four-legged friend to exercise it off with!
haha Amanda - how true - the lips and hips bit I mean - thank goodness for Smokey :)
I loved the one's by Carl Larsson...they are just wonderful...they are all good and very nice to look at...and Thank you for showing them to us...Happy New Year my dear...G-Ma :o) Hugs
These are beautiful selections- going to pass these on to my wife- she loves. I had never heard of these artists. Excellent...Happy New Year !!
Hi G-Ma
Yes, the Carl Larsson's pictures are just great. He so beautifully captures the world of childhood at the turn of the 19th century, and at the same time his images are ones we can identify with. I hope you had a good Christmas G-Ma, and I wish you a very happy New Year too!
H Newcapo
Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed the Holiday Art, and I hope your wife does too! Happy New Year to you!
Your so right. I love the old images better than the new ones. They give me a feeling of warmth. Thank you.
Hi Netters,
I really enjoyed researching this hub, and was especially pleased with the Larsson pictures which tell of an old-fashioned and innocent world of childhood.
I'm hoping to get a whole hub of Larsson pictures together soon, so watch this space!
oooo I love the one with the children in the bedroom!!!
Hi Mella,
Thanks for stopping by. The Larsson picture really captures an old-fashioned Christmas morning beautifully, doesn't it? I've also posted a few more of Larsson's works on a separate hub about his life, which you might find interesting. The link is:
These are gorgeous. I especially love Christmas Morning, Under the Christmas Tree and The Shortening Winter's Day.
Thanks for sharing :)
Hi Trish,
Thanks for stopping by. This hub has been quite unloved since New Year, so it's nice to have a visitor! LOL! The Christmas Morning painting reminds me of my own childhoos. There were six of us (the Larssons had seven) and consequently the gifts tended to be simple toys that we could play with together, much like those in trhe picture! Happy days...!
I'm a collector, and one of the many things I love are old fashioned cards. I have a small collection of old cards and postcards from the late 1800s, early 1900s. The graphics are beautiful. I also have a tiny collection of old wooden pencil boxes decorated with nursery rhyme themes. I often think perhaps I lived during the Victorian era, and since I also love true crime stories, I fancy myself as a sleuth of some kind from that era LOL. Either that, or I was a criminal! :)
My Mum used to collect old post-cards, and they were always great to look through, especially the old black and white ones. Perhaps you did once live in Victorian times Trish. I've an open mind on the subject of re-incarnation. Truth is often stranger than fiction!
Reincarnation is a nice thought, but the only thing that bothers me about that is that if it's true, and when I die this time, I'd still like to know I'm me but in a different form. I hardly think that's how it works though :)
Hypnotherapists often encounter past life memories when using regression techniques. Of course there's any number of explanations for these. Some people say that they're actually re-imagined memories of films or TV programmes, and others claim genetic memory is responsible. As I say, I have an open mind, but I'm more inclined towards it than I am against it.
Beautiful images thank you for sharing them :)
Thanks for stopping by Atomswifey.
It's almost that time of year again. These are just beautiful. I particularly love "Under the Christmas Tree". These paintings make you long for an old fashioned Christmas!
Hi Patrice, yes, Christmas is almost upon us once more and it's lovely to start getting in the right frame of mind with some ol-fashioned images of Christmas past.
I enjoyed this very much! Those images are all so unique and beautiful! And I enjoyed the stories that go along with each painting....takes you back in time.
Thank you!
Hi Peacenhim, I get very nostalgic about childhood Christmases and all out family traditions. These old-fashioned Christmas pictures just me in the right frame of mind for the festive season. Thanks for stopping by.
great paintings
Thanks Nikki!
Is X-Mas almost here again? Wow! I like the painting of the angel by Edward Burne-Jones (fantastic colors) and Christmas Morning 1894 My Carl Larrson (great colors, clean technique).
Hi Writer Rider, it's good to see you here, as always. Yes, Christmas is upon us once again. It seems it comes round quicker with every year that passes. The Burne-Jones is also one of my favourites, and the Larsson paintings are great, too. I think the Larsson paintings really conjure up Christmas in a busy, family household.
Dear Amanda,
I keep Magi on my computer - YOU have THE most outstanding photo of the Magi - thank you so much! Love that! What a wonderful Hub! 5 Stars!
Hi GmaGoldie
The painting of the Magi is from an illuminated manuscript called Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. It's well worth checking out in it's entirety, and many of the illustrations can be found on the web. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Amands Severn. Hi. Wow this an absolutely beautiful hub, with such wonderful information on each Artist.
I love all the pictures but especially love "Christmas Morning" by Carl Larsson and Brita as Iduna.
I could look at the pictures all day, they are fabulous.
Thank you for sharing it with us. :) :)
Hi Oliversmum,
I agree with you that the Carl Larsson pictures are particularly special, and I have another hub dedicated to his work:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Carl-Larsson--Master-Illus
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Nice artworks. Can't beat art and music for getting into the spirit!
Hi kimballtrombone, I have to agree, music and art certainly do it for me!
Hi! Nice pictures! Good entertaining hub! -- Thanks
Hi ss sneh, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
nice painting
I love the design, Great job.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I love these old fashioned pictures of Christams...even thought you wrote this a few years ago, it is time again to appreciate the beauty of Christmas.
Hi Enlydia, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Christmas comes around amazingly quickly. It seems hardly any time at all since I originally wrote this!
rmr 3 years ago
These are fantastic! I especially like the angel. Thanks for sharing these.