Christmas - Bringing Tree Home In Sleigh

by Mel Crawford

Title

Christmas - Bringing Tree Home In Sleigh

Artist

Mel Crawford

Medium

Painting - Mixed Media On Cold Press Illustration Board

Description

The heartwarming tradition of decorating a tree to celebrate a joyous occasion originated in ancient Rome. However, the use of colorful Christmas tree ornaments began in sixteenth century Germany. There, trees were adorned with gilded nuts, fresh apples, delicate sugar figures, and carefully made dolls and shepherds. It was Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, that first introduced this heartwarming custom to England, and in 1841, the royal family celebrated the holidays around a gigantic Christmas tree beautifully decorated with wax tapers and sweetmeats. It wasn't until 1860 that fragile glass trinkets began to replace the tasty edible ornaments. Again, it was the sentimental Germans that took the lead. Humble peasants in central Germany worked at the primitive industry in their own small cottages. The father carefully blew the intricate figures from molten glass, while the rest of the family took pleasure in colorfully painting them with fancy designs. Today's tree may be less mouth-watering than those once trimmed with sweets, but permanent ornaments do have one great advantage: around a familiar star or angel, a family can build up its own traditions year after year. Perhaps the greatest thrill of Christmas comes during the proud moments of bringing home a fragrant, freshly-cut family Christmas tree.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1983 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB08333

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April 24th, 2022

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