Harper’s Bazar, Christmas A.D. MDCCCXCV 1895

Will Bradley crafted this cover for Harper’s Bazar in 1895, a serene scene imbued with symbolism. The dominant motif, lambs, recurs throughout Christian art as a representation of innocence, purity, and Christ himself, the Lamb of God. This symbol echoes through time, traceable to ancient sacrificial rites. In earlier pagan traditions, the lamb was offered to appease the gods, a theme adopted and transformed by Christianity. The poem, framed by stylized natural elements, reinforces this symbolism by referencing both shepherds and Christ's birth. Consider the psychological weight of this image: the lamb evokes feelings of gentleness and vulnerability. This triggers deep-seated emotions tied to protection and sacrifice. Bradley’s work resonates because it taps into these archetypal symbols, engaging our collective memory and subconscious understanding of faith, innocence, and redemption. The image of the lamb, originally a sacrificial offering, has evolved into a symbol of divine love and sacrifice, illustrating the cyclical nature of symbols as they resurface and transform across history.