Tracking Santa The NORAD Way Christmas 2007 :: Oblate Spheroid

Illustrators’ Visions of Santa
Claus - Over the years, great illustrators have created and shaped the
popular vision of Santa Claus. Clockwise from top, left: Thomas Nast, who
gave Santa Claus a form almost like the modern idea in the mid-1800’s, with his
clay pipe and arm full of toys (including a sword). You can see some of his
visions of Santa here. ///
J. C. Leyendecker, who really created the modern vision of Santa, and
painted a number of memorable Saturday Evening Post covers featuring the jolly
elf over the years. You can find them in the SEP cover archive.
/// Norman Rockwell,
along with Leyendecker, provided numerous SEP covers with images of Santa, often
with clever takes on the vision of his traditional role. The SEP cover archive
has a section devoted to Rockwell Christmas covers. /// Haddon Sundblom was an American illustrator who
became noted for his yearly portrayals of Santa Claus for the Coca-Cola company.
There is a section on the Coca-Cola site,
and an album of Sundblom Santas here. Image
Credit: Charley Parker