The image of Santa Claus was designed by order of Coca-Cola in early 1931

Few people know that the modern image of Santa Claus was designed by Chicago artist Haddon Sandblom for Coca-Cola in early 1931.

Over the past since almost 80 years, this image has gone far beyond the advertising campaign, becoming the most recognizable Christmas image in history.

According to historians, the myth of Santa Claus originated in the IV century, during the time of St. Nicholas, who was famous for his kindness and help to those in need. However, Sandblom admitted that he took the idea for his image rather in Clement Clark Mora’s epic poem “Christmas Eve”.

Well, Santo Sandblom drew from retired sailor Louis Prentice, on whose face there was a very successful combination of cheerful wrinkles. Only after he passed away, the artist began to pose for himself. For 35 years, portraying Santa, he painted over 40 oil paintings.

Now the image of a cheerful grandfather in a red coat, with ruddy cheeks and a round belly from Sandblom is a generally recognized image of Santa Claus, which is associated throughout the world with a real holiday and Coca-Cola.