To All a Good Night! 

Scott Gustafson painted this image of Santa Claus with an old-fashioned aesthetic. In this night scene, Santa looks back over his shoulder, from his sleigh, as he wishes everyone a good night. This image draws on over a century of artistic and literary representations of Santa. Here, Santa is presented as an avuncular figure, a kind grandfather, whose benevolent gaze invites trust. These images were popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by illustrators such as Thomas Nast, and cemented in the cultural imagination by commercial advertising for companies like Coca-Cola. This version of Santa helped to shape the modern institution of Christmas. Analyzing this image through historical research allows us to see how it reflects changing social values and commercial interests. Images like this one, while seemingly innocuous, play a significant role in shaping our cultural traditions and beliefs.