10 x Christmas

From the series 10 things...

Christmas is likely to be more subdued than usual for everyone this year, despite that we hope you’ll enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas!

Het lot van een kerstboom Het lot van een kerstboom

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The fate of the Christmas tree

The fate of the Christmas tree was not much different in the 19th century than it is today, as you can see from this comic strip: it gets chopped down and decorated, and ends up as firewood.

Het lot van een kerstboom

Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 1, Pl. IV: Les Préparatifs de Noël / Robe d'après-midi de Redfern Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 1, Pl. IV: Les Préparatifs de Noël / Robe d'après-midi de Redfern

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Stylish Christmas

For many households, a tree has become an essential part of Christmas. Gazette du Bon Ton, a Paris fashion magazine from the early 20th century, shows how to decorate the Christmas tree in style.

Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 1, Pl. IV: Les Préparatifs de Noël / Robe d'après-midi de Redfern

Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 1, Pl. III: L'Arbre Merveilleux / Costumes d'enfants pour Noël Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 1, Pl. III: L'Arbre Merveilleux / Costumes d'enfants pour Noël

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A colourfully decorated Christmas tree

The same magazine goes on to provide fashion tips for children – although the colourfully decorated Christmas tree with toy cars and dolls attracts more attention.

Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 1, Pl. III: L'Arbre Merveilleux / Costumes d'enfants pour Noël

Notenkraker in een huzarenmantel bij een kerstboom Notenkraker in een huzarenmantel bij een kerstboom

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The Nutcracker

This drawing of a nutcracker was an illustration for a Dutch edition of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The famous ballet is based on this story.

Notenkraker in een huzarenmantel bij een kerstboom

The Nativity The Nativity

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Nativity scene, or not?

This statue is reminiscent of a nativity scene. Scenes from the life of Christ, including the Nativity, inspired many works of art. They were intended to inspire devotion, particularly around holidays such as Christmas.

The Nativity attributed to Hans Kamensetzer (active c. 1471–1487), Strasbourg, c. 1470, hardwood (walnut or limewood?) with original polychromy

Christmas Crib Christmas Crib

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The Christmas crib

A Christmas crib would originally have stood on the altar, with a statue of the baby Jesus lying in it. When the priest rocked the crib, the congregation would start singing Christmas carols.

Christmas Crib attributed to Jan II Borman (active 1479-1520), Brussels, c. 1510, oak, bone

Scenes from the life of Christ Scenes from the life of Christ

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The Life of Jesus Christ as a comic strip

In this 15th-century painting, 18 scenes from the life of Christ are shown as if in a comic strip, including the Nativity, which Christians celebrate at Christmas.

Scenes from the life of Christ Meuse Valley (Roermond?), c. 1435, oil on canvas on panel

The Adoration of the Shepherds: Nocturne The Adoration of the Shepherds: Nocturne

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Rembrandt & Christ

Many artists have depicted the birth and adoration of Christ, among them Rembrandt. This etching shows the adoration of the shepherds. The contrast of light and dark draws our eyes to Mary and Jesus.

The Adoration of the Shepherds: Nocturne Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), etching and dry point, first state, c. 1657

Kinderen rond een kerstboom met poppen Kinderen rond een kerstboom met poppen

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Children by the Christmas tree

This photo shows an exuberant Christmas celebration: people are walking through the picture, a costumed performance, and children are playing.

Kinderen rond een kerstboom met poppen

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Tradition of Christmas cards

We’ve been sending Christmas and New Year’s wishes to friends, family and acquaintances for over 150 years. And now with another lockdown, the tradition seems to have made a comeback. Who are you sending a Christmas card this year?

Kerst- en nieuwjaarswens met bruidspaar, anoniem, ca. 1860 - ca. 1880

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