A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year c. 1859

Winslow Homer’s *A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year* (c. 1859) is a wood engraving that depicts various scenes of holiday festivities. The central panel shows the Nativity of Christ, while the top panels show holiday activities like sleigh riding and the bottom panels showcase a Christmas party, with children dancing and a family gathered around a decorated Christmas tree. Homer, known for his later paintings depicting nature and the American Civil War, created this piece while working as an illustrator for *Harper's Weekly*. This wood engraving is a charming example of Victorian holiday imagery, capturing the spirit of celebration and community during this special time of year.