Merry Christmas by Rockwell Kent

“Merry Christmas,” a 1951 lithograph by Rockwell Kent (1882-1971), measures 13 by 9 1/4 inches, and is signed lower right. It appears as entry number 146 in the catalogue raisonné of the artist’s prints by Dan Burne Jones. Framed, the print measures 21 1/8 by 17 1/8 inches.

“Merry Christmas” is one of several compositions that illustrate the artist’s anti-war, anti-violence sentiments. An exception to Kent’s anti-war stance occurred during World War II, when he believed it imperative that Nazism be defeated. Some of these anti-war, anti-violence compositions appeared as prints, others as personal “holiday” cards, and others as illustrations for publications. The card, “The New Year After World War III” (illustrated), also incorporates an image of a toddler in a war situation, albeit, this child is the only survivor of world annihilation.