The answer lies partially in the work of a cartoonist who was otherwise best known for his work in a very different field. ... “Merry Old Santa Claus” by Thomas Nast (1881). ...

The drawing was by 22-year-old Thomas Nast, who was born in Germany and came to New York with his family at age 6. Nast said he based his Santa on a German version of Saint Nicholas, Pelze-Nicol.

Thomas Nast, “Santa Claus and Little Bo Peep (published in Harper’s Young People)” (1879), relief print and electrotype. ... this exhibition spans over two decades of Valdez’s work.

(WVUE) - Cartoonist Thomas Nast, more than any other single individual, seems responsible for our modern day image of Santa Claus as a fat, bearded elf. Thomas Nast's iconic 1881 image of Santa ...

Nast’s most famous Santa portrait was created in 1881 and is titled "Merry Old Santa Claus." The drawing shows a rosy-cheeked and white-haired Santa holding a pipe and an armful of toys along ...

Thomas Nast's Civil War Santa, portrayed by historian Kevin Rawlings, will come to life again on Saturday when he makes an appearance at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum presents a rare summertime look at Thomas Nast’s most popular character, Santa Claus. Over 30 holiday images by Thomas Nast will be displayed in the large ...

SHAPIRO: (Laughter) Thomas Nast's cartoons also reshaped the way we view Santa as a physical presence. Talk about how his drawings changed our perception of this character.

Santa Claus and Thomas Nast. Share full article. ANTHONY LUMLEY. June 4, 1904; Credit... The New York Times Archives. See the article in its original context from June 4, 1904, Section BR, Page ...