Jenny Nyström: Christmas Tomte with Gifts | Art Poster

A colourful Swedish Christmas poster featuring a bearded tomte carrying gifts and a burning torch through the snow. Jenny Nyström’s festive illustration captures the warmth, folklore and cheerful bustle of a traditional Scandinavian Christmas.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Traditional Christmas illustration by Jenny Nyström
• Swedish tomte carrying a basket of wrapped presents
• Snow-covered landscape beneath a deep blue sky
• Bright vintage colours and lively brushwork
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A tomte on his Christmas journey

A white-bearded tomte strides towards the viewer with a large basket of gifts on his arm. More parcels are fastened across his back, while the torch in his raised hand sends a stream of warm orange light across the winter sky.

Behind him stands a timber house with glowing windows and snow piled across the roof. A small figure runs through the landscape carrying another present. These background details turn the image into a larger Christmas story filled with movement and expectation.

The Swedish Christmas tomte

The tomte has roots in Scandinavian folklore, where he was traditionally associated with farms and homesteads. He was often imagined as a small, bearded guardian who watched over the household and expected to be treated with respect.

During the nineteenth century, the old farm spirit gradually became connected with Christmas and the giving of presents. Jenny Nyström played a central role in shaping this friendlier Swedish jultomte through her illustrations, cards and magazine covers.

“mother of the Swedish Christmas tomte”

About Jenny Nyström

Jenny Nyström was born in Kalmar in 1854. She studied in Gothenburg and at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm before continuing her artistic education in Paris.

She worked as a painter and became one of Sweden’s most productive illustrators. Her large body of work included children’s books, magazines, calendars, advertising images and thousands of greeting-card designs.

Nyström frequently placed the tomte in recognisable Swedish surroundings. Her Christmas figures travelled by sleigh, carried sacks and baskets, cared for animals and visited snow-covered farms. This combination of folklore and everyday life helped establish a distinctly Swedish visual tradition.

A Christmas scene in glowing colours

The illustration is built around a strong contrast between the cold landscape and the warm Christmas light. Blue snow and the dark sky surround the green coat, red cap, golden presents and orange flame.

Nyström’s tomte looks directly at the viewer as he moves forward. His lively expression and purposeful step give the poster energy, while the old house and heavy snow preserve the cosy atmosphere associated with Nordic Christmas stories.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Swedish Christmas warmth for the home

The vivid colours make this poster a striking seasonal decoration for a living room, dining room, hallway or family space. It works especially well with natural wood, evergreen branches, candles and traditional red Christmas details.

Discover more seasonal illustrations in our Christmas collection, or explore more works in our collection of Swedish art.

Frequently asked questions

What does the poster show?

The illustration shows a traditional Swedish tomte carrying a basket of wrapped gifts and a burning torch through a snowy landscape.

Who was Jenny Nyström?

Jenny Nyström was a Swedish painter and illustrator whose Christmas cards helped shape the familiar image of the Swedish jultomte.

When was the illustration created?

The precise date of this Christmas-card illustration has not been documented, so the poster is listed as undated.

What is a Swedish tomte?

A tomte is a figure from Scandinavian folklore traditionally associated with farms and homesteads. The figure later became closely connected with Christmas and gift-giving.

What paper is the poster printed on?

The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm matte quality paper with a smooth, non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The frame is not included, allowing you to choose one that suits your Christmas decorations and interior.