Santa’s Watching You. Merry Christmas series. New Canaan, 1946.

SZYK, Arthur. Santa’s Watching You. Merry Christmas series.  Signed and Dated “Arthur Szyk, New Canaan, (19)46”. Watercolor and gouache on paper.  Sheet size: 4 3/4″ x 3 7/8″.   Image size:  3 7/8″ x 3 1/8″. Very Good condition.

A looming Santa, with finger raised, cautions the viewer: “You better watch out.” The large figure of Santa Claus is surrounded by poinsettias and holly berries, and a border of gold with the words “Merry Christmas”. This Christmas card design also shows a smiling girl and boy, a rowdy cat and dog, and a snowman’s head. It is one of only two paintings in this Merry Christmas series of eleven whimsical images with a completed border.

Publishing History: Appeared on screen in the movie “When Do We Eat?”, produced by Sal Litvak, 2005.