The history of the creation of paintings by numbers
In the early 1950s, amid post-war prosperity, free time, and the democratic idea that anyone can paint, painting by numbers became a popular leisure activity. The painting kit included 2 brushes and about 90 pre-mixed, numbered paints to be applied to the numbered areas on the canvas or board. The resulting picture was surprising and pleasing.
One grateful fan of this hobby wrote: "I know that I am not a very good artist and will never become one. Many times I have tried to draw at least something recognizable to no avail. So why did no one tell me before that it is possible and so Now I'm painting my fifth picture and I can't stop. " Paintings by numbers have helped many people who had never held a brush in their hands before to join the world of art and creativity.
The creators of the paintings by numbers are believed to be Max S. Klein, owner of a paint company in Detroit, and artist Dan Robbins, who came up with the idea and painted the first paintings of this kind. Klein's company began selling paint kits under the Craft Master brand in 1951. By 1954, about 12 million kits were sold. The most popular were classic and seascapes, images of pets, as well as the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. The inscription on the packaging of the painting kits read: "Everyone is Rembrandt!"
When paintings by numbers conquered the markets of Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy and Norway, subjects began to be selected in accordance with national tastes and preferences. For example, in England, paintings depicting Shakespeare's birthplace were popular, and the Paris theme was in great demand among French-speaking buyers in the American market.
While critics argued that "such artists are only masters in the area of wasting time," the new hobby continued to gain momentum: many people got acquainted with visual arts tools and painting techniques, and about 10% of buyers eventually returned to buy traditional painting supplies and try to paint yourself.
In the early 1950s, amid post-war prosperity, free time, and the democratic idea that anyone can paint, painting by numbers became a popular leisure activity. The painting kit included 2 brushes and about 90 pre-mixed, numbered paints to be applied to the numbered areas on the canvas or board. The resulting picture was surprising and pleasing.
One grateful fan of this hobby wrote: "I know that I am not a very good artist and will never become one. Many times I have tried to draw at least something recognizable to no avail. So why did no one tell me before that it is possible and so Now I'm painting my fifth picture and I can't stop. " Paintings by numbers have helped many people who had never held a brush in their hands before to join the world of art and creativity.
The creators of the paintings by numbers are believed to be Max S. Klein, owner of a paint company in Detroit, and artist Dan Robbins, who came up with the idea and painted the first paintings of this kind. Klein's company began selling paint kits under the Craft Master brand in 1951. By 1954, about 12 million kits were sold. The most popular were classic and seascapes, images of pets, as well as the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. The inscription on the packaging of the painting kits read: "Everyone is Rembrandt!"
When paintings by numbers conquered the markets of Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy and Norway, subjects began to be selected in accordance with national tastes and preferences. For example, in England, paintings depicting Shakespeare's birthplace were popular, and the Paris theme was in great demand among French-speaking buyers in the American market.
While critics argued that "such artists are only masters in the area of wasting time," the new hobby continued to gain momentum: many people got acquainted with visual arts tools and painting techniques, and about 10% of buyers eventually returned to buy traditional painting supplies and try to paint yourself.
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