Our current images of Santa were created over 75 years ago when Coca-Cola commissioned a painting by Haddon Sundblom. The painting was for a 1931 advertising campaign.
“The Coca-Cola Santa embodies the holiday spirit and has helped shape the image of Santa Claus around the world,” said Phil Mooney, director, Archives, The Coca-Cola Company. “It’s amazing that what started out as a simple advertising concept has become the cornerstone of our Company’s holiday campaigns for the past 75 years.”
Before 1931 Santa ranged from a stern, tall man or an elf with a bishop's robe. Sometimes wearig a Norse huntsman's animal skin. Sundblom took his inspiration from Clement Moore's 1822 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas”
Over the years Sundblom created more than 40 pieces of art of the Coca Cola Santa, an important part of the company's advertising over the last 75 years.
Although the last Sundblom Santa was created in 1964 his works are timeless and the 1931 Santa looks as fresh today as he looked over 75 years ago.
Source: Coca-Cola Company
