Art Gallery: Holiday Glamour

This holiday season, we bring you 33 portraits of women from the pages of the Post,from 1920s beauties to 1950s fashion plates, all wishing you season’s greetings and winter cheer!

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Christmas in Hiding
George Hughes
December 10, 1960

Sneaking away while the house is asleep, this couple stashes away their Christmas gifts.

 

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Couple Under Mistletoe
December 15, 1900

Lavish parties and formal garb say sophistication, but this couple whisks each other away to steal a kiss under the mistletoe.

 

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Woman lighting candles on Christmas tree
J.J. Gould & Guernsey Moore
December 6, 1902

The warm candlelight from the tree makes this Christmas beauty radiant.

 

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Hanging Holly
J.C. Leyendecker
December 21, 1918

They may be celebrating the holidays miles apart, he’s still the focal point of her celebration.

 

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Woman Gazing Up at Mistletoe
Harrison Fisher
December 12, 1908

This woman hopes for kisses from Christmases future.

 

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Christmas Shopper
Neysa McMein
December 13,1919

Arms overflowing with parcels and holly, she can’t remember if she bought the pipes for Grandpa Joe. 

 

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Holly Bouquet
Charles A. MacLellan
December 13, 1924

This merry maid has boughs of holly to spare.

 

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Lady Walking Dogs in Snow
William Haskell Coffin
December 11, 1926

Cheeks chilled to rosy red, there is no better way to enjoy the snow than a stroll with your two best friends. 

 

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Snowy Night
E.M. Jackson
January 5, 1929

This festive flapper is cozy indoors while the snow piles up outside.

 

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Snow Buffet Party
Thornton Utz
February 20, 1960

This hostess awaits her guests on a wintry evening.

 

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Romantic Skate
Manning de Villeneuve Lee
December 1, 1937

 

Late nights in the winter are perfect for ice-skating…and maybe something more.

 

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Hanging the Mistletoe
Harrison Fisher
December 14, 1912

This elegant lady puts the finishing touches on the mistletoe.

 

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Christmas 1902
Henry Hutt
December 20, 1902

There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than hanging garland with the one you love.

 

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A Wife for Christmas
Paul Nonnast
December 01, 1954 (Country Gentleman)

There is no time like the holidays for romance.

 

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Woman and Snowball
James Calvert Smith
January 17, 1925

This holiday lady is eyeing the next victim of a playful pelting.

 

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Woman at Fireplace
William Hurd Lawrence
December 22, 1906

For some, snuggling up next to hearth and enjoying the solitude is a far better way to spend the holidays.

 

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The Muses is My Racket
Al Parker
February 03, 1945

With a microphone and her sultry voice, she performs a stunning rendition of “Christmas Time.”

 

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Tumble from Sled
Dominice Cammerota
January 27, 1940

Who said kids get to have all the fun?

 

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The Lady’s Future
Ernest Chiriaka
February 06, 1954

She’s almost late to her own party!

 

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Hunting a Husband
Robert Meyers
April 20, 1957

Holiday romance takes the chill out of the coldest nights.

 

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I Love You, Mama Girl
Joe deMers
March 31, 1956

A quiet moment before the whirlwind.

 

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Clever Women are Dangerous Too
Joe deMers
August 05, 1950

She recounts her encounter with her admirer at the park.

 

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Girls Don’t Play Fair
R.G. Harris
May 12, 1951

When he asked his best friend to join him for dinner he never expected to be the third wheel on his own date.

 

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New Years, 1905
Henry Hutt
December 30, 1905

With fresh snow covering the ground, sleigh rides make the perfect escape from the festivities.

 

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Too Young for Trouble
Coby Whitmore
May 07, 1960

Poinsettia pinned and hair curled, this winter wonder catches the eye of all the guys.

 

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Lady Throwing Snowball
Sarah Stilwell-Weber
March 03, 1917

This winter-clad socialite prepares to thrash any who threaten her fashion.

 

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Crack the Whip
Emery Clarke
March 02, 1940

She sails with grace across the ice.

 

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The Golden Rose
Coby Whitmore
October 24, 1959

Out of all of the gifts she received, her favorite was the rose.

 

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The Lady had an Angle
Coby Whitmore
August 20, 1955

The best way to enjoy a fresh snowfall is with someone who can hold you close.

 

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F. Sands Brunner
December 01, 1938 (Country Gentleman)

Waiting for someone under the mistletoe.

 

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I Want a Man
Joe deMers
April 15, 1950

She coaxes him over for a midnight dance.

 

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Larcenous Lady
Bob Hilbert
February 21, 1953

The letter in her hand doesn’t stave off this mistletoe kiss.

 

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Mail Delivery by Sleigh
Alex Ross
January 29, 1944

This postwoman is delivering season’s greetings in spite of the snowfall.

Classic Covers: A Kiss Under the Mistletoe

“…the Yule log and Christmas candle were regularly burnt, and the mistletoe, with its white berries, hung up, to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids,” wrote Washington Irving (1783-1859). This Victorian couple under the mistletoe was on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post December 15, 1900. How many people have our cover artists caught under that infamous plant?

Couple Under the Mistletoe

Couple Under Mistletoe
Unknown
December 15, 1900

“…the Yule log and Christmas candle were regularly burnt, and the mistletoe, with its white berries, hung up, to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids,” wrote Washington Irving (1783-1859). This Victorian couple under the mistletoe was on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post December 15, 1900. How many people have our cover artists caught under that infamous plant?

Stealing a Christmas Kiss by J.C. Leyendecker

Stealing a Christmas Kiss
JC Leyendecker
December 23, 1933

Never mind those feisty Victorians – this medieval couple is downright frisky. J.C. Leyendecker did this colorful cover for Christmas of 1933. Since the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is said to date back to ancient times, such a scene may have very well occurred. Beyond the custom’s authenticity, the artist simply loved elaborate costumes – as did his famous protégé, below.

Mistletoe Kiss by Norman Rockwell

Mistletoe Kiss
Norman Rockwell
December 19, 1936

Norman Rockwell channeled colonial times for this cover from 1936. A traveler stopping in at the friendly tavern found mistletoe and proceeded to get, well, friendly, with a serving girl. Mistletoe as a plant is actually a parasite, spread by birds in a very non-romantic manner (through feces). Rather a humble beginning for something that came to represent amorous feelings.

Cousin Reginald Under the Mistletoe by Norman Rockwell

Cousin Reginald Under the Mistletoe
Norman Rockwell
December 22, 1917

Rockwell did several covers of city-slicker Cousin Reginald and his ornery country cousins for Country Gentleman magazine, a sister publication to the Post. Here Reginald’s cousin, Red, is coaxing a very embarrassed Reginald into his first kiss under the mistletoe. Well, the young lady is willing! This cover is from 1917. The plant has been considered sacred, and later, a fertility herb. Something to think about when you’re passing under doorways.

Woman Gazing Up at Mistletoe by Harrison Fisher

Woman Gazing Up at Mistletoe
Harrison Fisher
December 12, 1912

Back in 1908, we find another willing lady. Perhaps she’s wishing upon the mistletoe for a particular suitor to find her. This parasitic plant possibly became revered because it was rare to encounter it, and when one did find it in the dead of winter, it was green and thriving, unlike the tree on which it fed. The kissing under the mistletoe tradition is said to date back to Norse times. It is hard to picture marauding Vikings getting mushy over a plant, but there you are. Hagar the Horrible smooching Helga under the mistletoe? Hey, it could happen.

Girl Under Mistletoe by J.C. Leyendecker

Girl Under Mistletoe
JC Leyendecker
December 26, 1908

This cute cover is also from 1908. The young boy seems to want to fill out his dance card, but the girl appears to have more than a mere dance in mind. She isn’t budging until she gets a kiss! We agree – if you have mistletoe, don’t waste it – get your Christmas smooches. And have a happy holiday!