A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The image shows a boy and a girl standing together, each holding a sprig of holly. The boy is dressed in a red coat, while the girl wears a green dress; both faces are illuminated by a gentle light, and a light dusting of snow covers the ground behind them, evoking a warm, seasonal scene.

Executed as a print, the composition relies on clear lines and modest shading to convey the soft glow on the children's faces and the texture of the snowy background. The simplicity of the design reflects the commercial illustration standards of the mid‑nineteenth century, while retaining a touch of Homer's emerging observational style.

Homer sold the design to a printer in Boston, where it was reproduced as a Christmas card. The card circulated as a seasonal greeting, marking the artist's entry into the market for printed holiday imagery.

At the time of its creation, Homer was transitioning from illustration toward oil painting and watercolor. This print illustrates his early focus on everyday subjects and domestic scenes, themes that would continue to appear throughout his later, more celebrated works.