This drawing is an original illustration for the story ‘Lucia and tomten’ by Harald Jacobson in the book ‘Barnteatern’ published in 1923 by Barnbiblioteket Saga. Sankta Lucia (Saint Lucy’s Day) is a major festival in Sweden celebrated across the country on 13th December.  Lucia, the patron saint of light, wears a crown of candles on her head, bringing light at the darkest time of year.  

Jenny Nyström was the first person in Sweden to make a profession from illustrating children’s books and became Sweden’s most productive painter and illustrator. She is best known as the creator of the Swedish image of the Jultomte originally for Viktor Rydberg’s book ‘Little Vigg’s adventures on Christmas Eve’ which became a children’s Christmas classic in Sweden.  Subsequently images of the tomtar were used on Christmas cards and magazine covers and continue to be used in creative designs and animation today., The Swedish Jultomtar bear a close resemblance to Father Christmas and his elves.

Lucia, in Nyström’s depiction, stands proud with an expression of strong determination on her face- she resembles Joan of Arc, a brave independent woman.  Sankta Lucia is venerated as a saint for helping the persecuted Christians during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian in the third century.

Originally from Kalmar in Southern Sweden, Nyström studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in Stockholm and then between 1882 and 1886, she was based in Paris, studying at both the Académie Colarossi and Académie Julian.