"Peace on Earth" from the Christmas Cover of The American Weekly, December 23, 1945

Commercial artist J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951) contributed to nearly every major national magazine, completing more than 500 cover illustrations over the course of his career. Leyendecker became known for imaginative cover illustrations -- especially those depicting holiday traditions -- that not only appealed to readers at busy newsstands but captured and helped shape the imagery of American culture.