North American Art

Ed Wheeler’s Santa Classics: Santa Claus and Masterpieces

Zuzanna Stańska 5 December 2023 min Read

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North American Art

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Photographer Ed Wheeler has been dressing up as Santa Claus for years and posing in hilarious compositions. He started over 20 years ago with yearly client Christmas mailers portraying him dressed up while doing non-Santa-like activities – driving a sports car, spray painting a wall, or getting a tattoo. It was in 2011, though, when the festive photographer decided to take his work a step further and incorporate Santa Claus into classical masterpieces like Botticelli’s famed The Birth of Venus.

According to the artist, his re-imaginings, known as Santa Classics, “pay homage to the original paintings while offering art lovers an additional reason to smile.”

Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

Ed Wheeler birth of venus — Ed Wheeler, Santa Classics inspired by Sandro Botticelli’s *Birth of Venus*. Artist’s website.

Click here to read all you need to know about Sandro Botticelli.

At the Moulin Rouge, The Dance by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

ed wheeler lautrec — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s *At the Moulin Rouge, The Dance.* Artist’s website.

Click here to see another masterpiece by Toulouse-Lautrec, Divan Japonais!

Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio

ed wheeler caravaggio — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Caravaggio’s *Supper at Emmaus*. Artist’s website.

Click here to read about the mysterious circumstances of Caravaggio’s death!

The Art of Painting by Johannes Vermeer

ed wheeler vermeer — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s *The Art of Painting*. Artist’s website.

Read here to read about 5 facts you didn’t know about Johannes Vermeer.

Luncheon on the Grass by Edouard Manet

ed wheeler, manet — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Edouard Manet’s *Luncheon on the Grass*. Artist’s website.

Click here to see 10 best portraits by Edouard Manet :).

Bridge over the Pond of Lilies by Claude Monet

Ed wheeler, monet — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Claude Monet’s *Bridge over the Pond of Lilies*. Artist’s website.

Did you know that Claude Monet was a caricaturist? Click here to see his caricatures!

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci

ed wheeler da vinci — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s *Vitruvian Man*. Artist’s website.

Here are 11 facts about Leonardo da Vinci that you probably didn’t know!

The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo

ed wheeler michelangelo — Ed Wheeler, *Santa Classics* inspired by Michelangelo’s *The Creation of Adam*. Artist’s website.

Here are some interesting facts about Michelangelo that you should know!

Happy holidays, Everyone!

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Zuzanna Stańska

Art Historian, founder and CEO of DailyArtMagazine.com and DailyArt mobile app. But to be honest, her greatest accomplishment is being the owner of Pimpek the Cat.

ProofreaderMelanie Demmer

Melanie is a freelance editor, proofreader, and writer within humanities fields. Follow her on Twitter @melaniesdemmer.