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Lot Essay
Born in Germany, Joseph Christian Leyendecker and his family immigrated to Chicago in 1882. Recognizing an early talent for fine draftmanship, young Leyendecker served as an apprentice at a local engraver's studio from the age of sixteen. He was quickly promoted to a full-time staff artist and began taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago to refine his skills. Shortly thereafter, Leyendecker and his brother Frank moved to Paris to study at the Académie Julian. While abroad, the brothers were exposed to the striking advertisements of Alphonse Mucha and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. After their short sojourn in France, they returned to Chicago and Leyendecker began his tenure with The Saturday Evening Post, a successful relationship that yielded 322 cover illustrations. While Norman Rockwell has today become synonymous with The Post, he in fact only produced 321 covers--one less than Leyendecker.
Of particular note in Leyendecker's oeuvre were his holiday cover designs, particularly those for Christmas. Indeed, Leyendecker can be credited with the modern image of a stout and jolly Santa Claus. Inspired by a particularly spirited rendition of the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" at one of his annual holiday parties, Leyendecker transformed the traditional lanky, older St. Nick into the familiar rosy face known today. While Santa Claus is not actually visible in Christmas Peek, the sneaking child's wide-eyed stare over the banister implies that Leyendecker's gregarious Santa has come to pay a Christmas Eve visit.
The present work was published on a green background as the cover of the December 23rd, 1939 issue The Saturday Evening Post.
Please note the present lot includes a copy of the cover of the December 23rd, 1939 issue of The Saturday Evening Post.
Of particular note in Leyendecker's oeuvre were his holiday cover designs, particularly those for Christmas. Indeed, Leyendecker can be credited with the modern image of a stout and jolly Santa Claus. Inspired by a particularly spirited rendition of the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" at one of his annual holiday parties, Leyendecker transformed the traditional lanky, older St. Nick into the familiar rosy face known today. While Santa Claus is not actually visible in Christmas Peek, the sneaking child's wide-eyed stare over the banister implies that Leyendecker's gregarious Santa has come to pay a Christmas Eve visit.
The present work was published on a green background as the cover of the December 23rd, 1939 issue The Saturday Evening Post.
Please note the present lot includes a copy of the cover of the December 23rd, 1939 issue of The Saturday Evening Post.