Haddon Sundblom

Art Appreciation

American artist Haddon Sundblom was born on June 22, 1899. He is best known for the images of Santa Claus he created for The Coca-Cola Company.

Sundblom, who was born in Muskegon, Michigan, moved to Chicago, and studied at the American Academy of Art. In his early twenties, he decided on a career in illustration and partnered with friends to launch an advertising agency.

In the 1930s, he worked the The Coca-Cola Company's Santa Claus advertisements. He is credited for creating the modern image of Santa Claus.

Aside from being credited for creating the modern image of Santa Claus, Sunblom is also recognized for his many pin-ups and glamour pieces. In 1972, his last assignment was the Playboy's Christmas issue cover.

Sundblom past away on March 10, 1976.

Santa Claus (1942) via rjart

via muscleheaded

Playboy Original 1972 via conchigliadivenere

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddon_Sundblom
https://conchigliadivenere.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/haddon-sundblom-1899-1976-american/
http://jipemania.com/coke/natal/sococa/index.htm
http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/channel_frederator/2007/12/17/haddon-sundblom-you-might-not-know-him-but/
https://muscleheaded.wordpress.com/tag/haddon-sundblom/
http://rjart.blogspot.com/2007/12/santa-claus-by-illustrator-haddon.html
http://artcontrarian.blogspot.com/2012/02/in-beginning-haddon-sundblom.html
http://assets.coca-colacompany.com/3d/ba/8a77c1ff4cad89b4308f2ec08f57/bio_haddon_sundblom.pdf