My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
I recently watched a fascinating and entertaining documentary about an American caricaturist, entitled, The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story.
For those of you who are not familiar with Al Hirschfeld, here is a brief biography:
Best known for his black and white portraits of celebrities and Broadway stars, Al Hirschfeld was born in St. Louis, and later moved with his family to New York City, where he received his art training at the Art Students League of New York. In 1924, Hirschfeld traveled to Paris and London, where he studied painting, drawing and sculpture. When he returned to the United States, a friend, fabled Broadway press agent Richard Maney, showed one of Hirschfeld's drawings to an editor at the New York Herald Tribune, which got Hirschfeld commissions for that newspaper and then, later, The New York Times.
Hirschfeld's style is unique, and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in contemporary drawing and caricature, having influenced countless artists, illustrators, and cartoonists. His caricatures were regularly drawings of pure line in black ink, for which he used a genuine crow quill.
Here are some photographs of Al. What I love about his face is that it's filled with so much character, it seems only natural he would become a caricaturist...
Here he is in his art studio. He actually sat in an old barber's chair at his desk when he drew...
Hirschfeld is known for hiding his daughter's name, Nina, written in capital letters ("NINA"), in most of the drawings he produced after her birth. The name would appear in a sleeve, in a hairdo, or somewhere in the background. The number of NINA's concealed is shown by the number written to the right of his signature. Generally, if no number is to be found, either NINA appears once or the drawing was completed before she was born.
Ella Fitzgerald
Have a super weekend, everyone!
X
For those of you who are not familiar with Al Hirschfeld, here is a brief biography:
Best known for his black and white portraits of celebrities and Broadway stars, Al Hirschfeld was born in St. Louis, and later moved with his family to New York City, where he received his art training at the Art Students League of New York. In 1924, Hirschfeld traveled to Paris and London, where he studied painting, drawing and sculpture. When he returned to the United States, a friend, fabled Broadway press agent Richard Maney, showed one of Hirschfeld's drawings to an editor at the New York Herald Tribune, which got Hirschfeld commissions for that newspaper and then, later, The New York Times.
Hirschfeld's style is unique, and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in contemporary drawing and caricature, having influenced countless artists, illustrators, and cartoonists. His caricatures were regularly drawings of pure line in black ink, for which he used a genuine crow quill.
Here are some photographs of Al. What I love about his face is that it's filled with so much character, it seems only natural he would become a caricaturist...
Here he is in his art studio. He actually sat in an old barber's chair at his desk when he drew...
A caricature of Hirschfeld...
Hirschfeld is known for hiding his daughter's name, Nina, written in capital letters ("NINA"), in most of the drawings he produced after her birth. The name would appear in a sleeve, in a hairdo, or somewhere in the background. The number of NINA's concealed is shown by the number written to the right of his signature. Generally, if no number is to be found, either NINA appears once or the drawing was completed before she was born.
Examples of four Broadway Playbill's in which Hirschfeld drew the front covers...
Here are some of my favorite Hirschfeld caricatures. I find it positively uncanny how he could capture the essence of each person so that you immediately know who they are.
*see if you can spot the NINA'S
*see if you can spot the NINA'S
Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in "Bringing Up Baby"
Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
Aerosmith
Katherine Hepburn
Elton John
Ella Fitzgerald
Prince
Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers
Judy Garland
Here is my very own copy of an Al Hirschfeld print. I purchased this many years ago and had it framed. It still hangs in my apartment -- my favorite female comedian, Lucille Ball...
Here is my very own copy of an Al Hirschfeld print. I purchased this many years ago and had it framed. It still hangs in my apartment -- my favorite female comedian, Lucille Ball...
I hope you enjoyed my tribute to the late, great talent of Mr. Al Hirschfeld...
Have a super weekend, everyone!
X
*In case you're interested in watching the documentary, here is the link: The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
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