Norman Rockwell's Santa Consulting Globe

December 4, 1926 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

An alternate title is Santa's Good Boys after the title of the book he holds.

This Norman Rockwell Santa Claus painting was the 92nd overall of 322 total published Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

This was also the tenth of 1926.

This painting was Rockwell's fourth picture of Santa Claus featured on the cover of The Post. Rockwell's first Post Christmas cover appeared on December 9, 1916.

This Santa Claus picture continued The Post's long tradition of presenting Christmas paintings of Norman Rockwell on its cover.

In fact, when envisioning jolly old Saint Nicholas, most people still see Norman Rockwell's Santa Claus in their mind's eye.

And to think this Norman Rockwell Christmas picture only cost five cents new!

This painting also appears in two Rockwell commentary books. It was also reproduced in Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner at illustration 222 and in Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt on page 105.

Norman Rockwell's Santa Consulting Globe

This illustration is one of my favorites of all the Norman Rockwell Christmas scenes. Of course, anytime Rockwell painted Kris Kringle, a masterpiece was on its way.

No doubt, the events of this scene are an everyday occurence in the life of Santa. He has to keep a close eye on all the good boys and girls, almost as close as on the naughty ones.

Santa is apparently enjoying the convenience of owning a magic world globe. He appears to be watching girls and boys as they go about their everyday lives. Now we know how he sees us when we are awake and asleep. Which raises this question: Does Santa ever sleep? Does Santa even need sleep?

Available as a Stretched Canvas Print in 3 Sizes:

Framing is available.

8 x 10 Strecthed Canvas Print     13 x 16 Stretched Canvas Print     18 x 22 Stretched Canvas Print

Judging by the position of the globe, Santa seems to be looking at children in the Eastern part of the former U.S.S.R., maybe Siberia. He is smiling so apparently the boy(s) and /or girl(s) he is watching are being nice. He almost appears to be laughing with joy. They must really be up to good.

He has withdrawn his book from his satchel. The book is entitled "Good Boys." What about the girls? Maybe he has another book for girls. Anyway, just like a good bookkeeper, Santa has his quill pen tucked behind his ear, ready to record his observations.

Since it is just December 4, there is plenty of time left for Santa in his workshop with the elves. Santa's elves are probably hard at work as we speak.

Available as a Giclee Print in 3 Sizes:

These Giclee prints are created using a special printer and archival paper suitable even for museum or gallery display.

Framing is also available.

12 x 14 Giclee Print 17 x 20 Giclee Print 22 x 26 Giclee Print

One thing unexplained is the round continent right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the globe. I have never seen it on any map before. Rockwell's sense of humor may be at play here. Maybe it is Atlantis! After it is a magic globe.

The most particular detail is floating just over his head. Had you noticed the halo? This detail is included in most of the Norman Rickwell Santa Claus paintings. It is a fitting tribute, considering how much joy Saint Nick delivers to children around the world on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!

Norman Rockwell's Santa Consulting Globe (1926)