Head and Shoulders of Smiling Santa Claus 1969

This painting of Santa's head and shoulders, done by Haddon Hubbard Sundblom, uses paint in a way that's not trying to hide the brushstrokes. It’s all about the process. You can really see the hand of the artist here; it's like the paint is having a conversation with the surface. Look at the way the red of Santa’s cheek blends into the white of his beard – not quite blended, but allowed to sit alongside one another. The texture isn't super thick, but it's definitely there. It's like Sundblom is saying, "Hey, this is paint, and I'm using it to make something." It reminds me a bit of Fairfield Porter, that everyday quality, and that lovely way of seeing what's in front of you. And just like with Porter, this painting is not trying to be overly serious or profound. It’s just a jolly rendering of Santa and a testament to the simple joy of putting paint on a surface.