St. Nicholas in his Study 

Scott Gustafson paints Saint Nicholas surrounded by symbols of generosity and wisdom. The image is steeped in iconographic details. Note the figure of Saint Nicholas, a bishop-like doll dressed in red robes. The historical Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Greek bishop known for his generosity, particularly towards children, is evoked here, becoming a symbol of the benevolent gift-giver. The owl, perched atop a globe, is an ancient symbol of wisdom and knowledge. We see its recurrence from ancient Greek depictions of Athena to modern-day emblems of academic institutions, each time reminding us of the power of intellect and insight. The inviting fireplace—an archetypal symbol of warmth, home, and gathering—echoes the hearths of ancient cultures. These potent symbols tap into our collective memory, evoking deeply ingrained feelings of comfort, wonder, and nostalgia. Like echoes across time, they remind us that the human spirit, with its capacity for generosity and quest for knowledge, endures through the ages.