Beauty and the Beast Fall In Love 

Thomas Kinkade made this painting of Beauty and the Beast sometime before his death in 2012. It is a manufactured work of art that comments on the Disney institution. Kinkade was known for his production-line approach, where teams of painters would fill in the details of paintings that he signed. This approach to making art is the antithesis of the 'tortured artist' narrative that has dominated western art history for centuries. Kinkade called himself the 'Painter of Light' and trademarked the phrase. His art was hugely popular, especially in middle-class suburban communities in the US. His output was sold in dedicated galleries in shopping malls. In short, Kinkade operated as a commercial brand, rather than a fine artist. Studying the art of Kinkade requires a very different approach to that of traditional art history. Instead of looking at the unique genius of the artist, one must ask broader questions about social class, cultural institutions, and the art market.