Description

Coming Around the Mountain by P. Buckley Moss

Introduction

Coming Around the Mountain by P. Buckley Moss is a cheerful celebration of Christmas, rail travel, and the anticipation of a holiday arrival. Created in 2015, this limited-edition giclée features Santa Claus riding aboard a decorated steam locomotive as it rounds a sweeping curve through a mountain landscape.

A Christmas tree rises above the engine, while a lively group of passengers fills the car behind it. Rich reds and greens, billowing smoke, and a pale blue mountain backdrop give the artwork a wonderful sense of movement.

For collectors of Moss Christmas artwork, trains, and traditional Americana, Coming Around the Mountain brings several beloved subjects together in one imaginative holiday scene.

Story Behind the Artwork

The train is the centerpiece of this festive journey. Its black-and-red locomotive curves toward the viewer, with Santa Claus leaning from the cab. A decorated evergreen, crowned by a golden star, rises just behind him.

In the open car, passengers wave their arms and celebrate. Their expressive gestures and colorful clothing suggest a joyful gathering, while a small American flag adds another familiar touch of Americana.

Above the train, a generous plume of smoke sweeps across the sky. The curved track leads the eye around the mountain, creating the impression that the train is just arriving in view.

The scene evokes the excitement of a Christmas homecoming: the journey, the anticipation, and the pleasure of traveling together.

Symbols & Meaning

• Steam Locomotive: Suggests journeys, travel memories, and the anticipation of reaching a destination.

• Santa Claus: Represents Christmas generosity, celebration, and seasonal tradition.

• Decorated Christmas Tree: Symbolizes holiday gathering and shared customs.

• Golden Star: A familiar Christmas decoration that may also suggest hope and guidance.

• Celebrating Passengers: Evoke companionship, community, and the enjoyment of a shared occasion.

• American Flag: Adds a recognizable patriotic detail to the holiday scene.

• Mountain Landscape: Gives the journey a sense of distance and adventure.

These meanings are interpretations of the artwork’s visible imagery rather than documented statements of Moss’s intentions.

Artistic Details

The most striking feature of Coming Around the Mountain is its curved composition.

The railway track enters from the lower left and bends across the foreground, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the locomotive and the passengers behind it. This strong diagonal movement gives the train a sense of forward momentum.

Moss balances the dark locomotive with brilliant holiday accents:

• Deep red trim outlines the engine and railway cars.

• Green garlands and the decorated Christmas tree introduce seasonal color.

• A golden star provides a bright focal point above the locomotive.

• Soft blues and grays establish the distant mountains.

• Pale smoke sweeps across the upper portion of the image, creating movement without obscuring the scene.

The simplified figures and expressive gestures keep the emphasis on the story rather than mechanical detail. The result is a lively Christmas image with a distinctly nostalgic character.

Featured Master Collections

Primary Master Collection: Christmas Traditions

Santa Claus, the decorated evergreen, festive garlands, and celebrating passengers establish Christmas as the central subject.

Supporting Master Collection: The Heart of Rural America

The steam locomotive and mountain railway evoke the transportation heritage and landscapes associated with rural American life.

Supporting Master Collection: The American Landscape

The distant mountain forms and curving railway place the Christmas celebration within an expansive outdoor setting.

Decorating Ideas

• Living Room: Display with other Christmas artwork or near a decorated tree.

• Family Room: Add a playful seasonal accent for families who enjoy trains and holiday traditions.

• Entryway: Welcome visitors with a scene of Christmas arrival.

• Home Office or Study: Pair with railroad memorabilia or vintage transportation artwork.

• Holiday Gallery Wall: Combine with other Moss Santa Claus and Christmas journey scenes.

The artwork’s vertical orientation makes it suitable for a narrow wall space or a grouping of complementary seasonal prints.

Gift Ideas

• Christmas Gift: For someone who enjoys Santa Claus and traditional holiday imagery.

• Railroad Enthusiast Gift: For collectors interested in steam locomotives and railway history.

• Family Gift: For a household that enjoys Christmas trains, travel traditions, or nostalgic Americana.

About the Edition

Coming Around the Mountain was issued in 2015 as a numbered, limited-edition giclée and is identified in the supplied gallery description as the 2015 Annual Christmas Print.

Why Buy from Canada Goose Gallery

Canada Goose Gallery offers Coming Around the Mountain in new, mint condition with a Certificate of Authenticity included. The gallery’s product information also identifies the offered print as hand-signed by P. Buckley Moss.

Collectors can learn more about authenticity documentation through the Canada Goose Gallery Collector FAQ.

Continue Exploring

🎨 Fun Fact:

Christmas trains have a history beyond miniature sets beneath the tree. During the nineteenth century, expanding passenger rail networks made it increasingly practical for people to travel longer distances to visit relatives during the holidays. Railroads also carried Christmas mail, gifts, and seasonal goods between communities. By the twentieth century, trains had become part of Christmas nostalgia through illustrated cards, toy trains, and department-store holiday displays. This broader cultural history helps explain why a locomotive can evoke both the excitement of travel and the anticipation of coming home for Christmas.

🖼️ Collector’s Insight:

What distinguishes Coming Around the Mountain is the way Moss uses the train’s curved path to create a feeling of arrival. The locomotive advances toward the viewer while the passengers, tree, and garlands turn the journey into a moving Christmas celebration. Santa’s position in the engine cab adds humor, and the mountain backdrop gives the scene a sense of adventure beyond the familiar holiday interior. Its combination of railroad imagery, Christmas traditions, and rural scenery makes it a particularly fitting companion to other Moss works featuring seasonal travel and American transportation.

“The Joy of Christmas Is on Its Way.”