Artist/Maker Robert Walter Weir (1803–1889)

Saint Nicholas

1837

Oil on wood panel

Overall: 30 x 25 3/8 in. ( 76.2 x 64.5 cm )
Framed: 34 7/8 × 29 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (88.6 × 74.9 × 6.4 cm)

Gift of George A. Zabriskie

1951.76

DescriptionA small dwarf-like Santa Claus with white moustache and eyebrows retreats, laughing, into a fireplace looking back over his right shoulder, his right arm extended, his left hand raised near his face; he wears a short red cape lined with white fur, its hood over his head, a white clay pipe attached to its front; he wears a brown jacket with dark piping under the cape and brown pants tucked into loose brown knee-high leather boots; a set of black rosary beads suspended from his belt under his cape; on his back he carries a rattan satchel overflowing with toys; the blue-tiled fireplace hung with three stockings; fire tools on either side of hearth; and iron in the form of crouching men supporting brass balls, a brass kettle on stand at lower right of fireplace; on the floor a partially peeled and cut orange and a broken clay pipe; to the right a pewter flagon, an armchair and a pair of men's black slippers with red bows; at lower left an overturned stool; over the mantle a large coat-of arms.

InscribedInitials of the artist's sons are on the stockings: W.W. [Walter Weir] and R.W. [Robert Weir]

ClassificationsPAINTINGS