Christmas, 1863

Nast, Thomas

1863, December 26

Artwork Information

  • Title:

    Christmas, 1863

  • Artist:

    Nast, Thomas

  • Artist Bio:

    American, 1840-1902

  • Date:

    1863, December 26

  • Medium:

    Wood engraving

  • Dimensions:

    15 15/16 x 22 5/16 inches

  • Credit Line:

    Wichita Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Carolyn Gouldner

  • Object Number:

    1975.68

  • Display:

    Not Currently on Display

About the Artwork

This wood engraving titled “Christmas, 1863”, appeared in the December 26, 1863, issue of Harper’s Weekly, and very clearly illustrates the feeling of national pathos and the deep concern over family disruption with which the Civil War was viewed by both the artist and perhaps all Americans everywhere. Yet, in almost every case the underlying expression is one of hope and fulfillment. In this work, gripping in terms of the Victorian sentiment of the times, the dreams of a family’s reunion during a Civil War Christmas are fulfilled as depicted in the central and largest panel of the composition.