Before Santa Claus wore a soda-ad suit he was Father Christmas: hooded, bearded, a little solemn, closer to folklore than to the mall. These paintings belong to that older lineage. Deep greens and wine reds, greenery in the hood, faces that look carved from a hundred winters.
Collectors reach for this group when a room already leans antique, and when a bright modern Santa would look out of place next to inherited furniture or a Della Robbia wreath.
Each vintage Santa is an archival giclée on museum-grade fine art canvas, faithful to the color and brushwork of Celia's original oil.
Giclée on canvas · 12" x 12"
A quiet toast in the cellar, oak barrels glowing warm behind him and a glass lifted to the season. Santa off duty: the wink of a man who has finished the route.
Giclée on canvas · 12" x 12"
Santa peers over a carol book beneath a Della Robbia garland of fruit, citrus, and berries: the classic Colonial Christmas motif rendered in deep reds and evergreen.
Giclée on canvas · 18" x 24"
A holly crown, gold bells, and trailing ribbons in old-world reds. This is the dressed-for-the-evening Santa, painted with the ornamental detail of a Victorian Christmas card.
Giclée on canvas · 12" x 12"
A gentle, close-up Santa Claus portrait wreathed in pine boughs and scarlet winterberry. Celia Meadors paints the English Santa of old-world Christmas cards: ruddy cheeks, a snow-white beard, and eyes that seem to know exactly what you asked for.
Giclée on canvas · 12" x 12"
Cancelled December 25, North Pole: a vintage postmark, an old stamp, and a knowing laugh. Postmark Santa is a love letter to Christmas mail.
Giclée on canvas · 18" x 24"
Lamplight, a long unrolled scroll, and one last check of every name. Santa with the List is the classic naughty-or-nice moment, painted with humor and heart.
Giclée on canvas · 12" x 12"
Pipe smoke curling, holly tucked in his cap, nothing else needed. Simply Santa strips the season down to one honest, kindly face.
Giclée on canvas · 8" x 10"
Reading the old poem aloud to three children by a stocking-hung hearth. Twas the Night is the collection's fullest story, with firelight on every face.
Giclée on canvas · 18" x 24"
A holly crown, beaded garlands, and a crock of gingerbread men. Victorian Santa is old-world Christmas in full dress, layered with ornament and deep color.
Giclée on canvas · 18" x 24"
Knife to pine at the workbench, finished figures standing on the shelf above. Woodcarving Santa honors the maker's hands as much as the season.
Giclée on canvas · 12" x 12"
Sepia washes and bright white highlights with holly tucked into wild hair. Woodland Santa is the loosest, most painterly Santa Celia has made.
