December is here, which means that Christmas isn’t far away!
While it is impossible not to notice the shift in weather, it’s not all bad – the festive season has also begun! As we edge closer to the holidays, discover how this season has inspired our contemporary artists at Bridgeman Studio. From the religious and cultural significance of Christmas to the beauty of the natural world during Winter, find a selection of our Christmas images highlights below.
While the media used, the subject matter or application of materials vary greatly between these pieces, all of the artists shared their inspiration in this beautiful time of year and the environment it creates.
Christmas Culture
The Christmas period around the day itself and the time building up to it form a significant part of the festive experience, which has inspired an appropriately large selection of artwork.
Driving Home For Christmas, 2016, (paper), Isobel Barber / Private Collection / © Isobel Barber / Bridgeman Images
Two friends, 2019, Léa Le Pivert / Private Collection / © Léa Le Pivert / Bridgeman Images
Sledging, 2014, (cut paper), Isobel Barber / Private Collection / © Isobel Barber / Bridgeman Images
WINTER, 2017 (tinted gesso on wood), PJ Crook / Private Collection / © P J Crook / Bridgeman Images
Twelve Document Snowmen, Sarah Battle / Private Collection / © Sarah Battle / Bridgeman Images
Ski-vening, 1995 (w/c), Judy Joel / Private Collection / © Judy Joel / Bridgeman Images
Winter Warmers
Today, Christmas themed art tends to focus less on the traditional icons, such as Santa, Snowmen and Reindeer and more on families celebrating, friends coming together and cosy interiors.
Mulled Wine, Claire Huntley / Private Collection / © Claire Huntley / Bridgeman Images
Frida and I on a Snow Day, Rachel Campbell / Private Collection / © Rachel Campbell / Bridgeman Images
Nativity, 2014, (cut paper), Isobel Barber / Private Collection / © Isobel Barber / Bridgeman Images
Christmas By The Fireplace, Claire Huntley / Private Collection / © Claire Huntley / Bridgeman Images
Natural World
The beauty of a snowy landscape is central to these paintings – something about the white, rolling hills evokes childhood dreams of a white Christmas.
Girl in Snow, © Madeleine Floyd / Bridgeman Images
Tree in winter, Newhaven, Derbyshire, 2017, (oil on canvas), Andrew Macara / Private Collection / © Andrew Macara / Bridgeman Images
Snow, 2017 (oil on linen), © Emma Haworth / Bridgeman Images
Snowy Woods, 2016 (oil on linen), © Emma Haworth / Bridgeman Images
Fields and Fauna
Animals play a huge part in festivities of the season – in some situations, as ceremonial figureheads and in others as traditional foodstuffs. However, most popular among artists are contemporary works depicting animals of all kinds in winter weather and surrounded by festive imagery.
Christmas Reindeer 2019 collagraph collage, Sarah Battle / Private Collection / © Sarah Battle / Bridgeman Images
Arctic Light, 2017, (conté and pastel on paper), Mark Adlington / Private Collection / © Mark Adlington / Bridgeman Images
Christmas Robin, 2017 © Claire Huntley / Bridgeman Images
Snowglobe, 2014, (cut paper), Isobel Barber / Private Collection / © Isobel Barber / Bridgeman Images
Wishing you a special Christmas!
Discover a wider selection of our favourite festive artworks in our new lightbox!