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Al Hirschfeld 1903-2003

Al Hirschfeld, an American icon renowned for his popular caricatures of people in the performing arts, passed away recently at his home in Manhattan. Continuing to work until the day before he died at age 99, Hirschfeld drew for many publications, most notably The New York Times. His work represents a chronicle of the performing arts and part of New York's cultural landscape. But his playful portraits also included stars of film, television, opera and dance and were loved by everyone. It is said he grew old, but never up. His view of the world around him, particularly the American theater, was as fresh and joyous at the end as ever.

Born in St. Louis, Hirschfeld moved to Manhattan with his family in 1914. His first theater drawing appeared in newsprint in 1926, marking the beginning of his masterful reign over New York's cultural realm. His linear style, the bare essentials of a character created with minimal strokes, helped create for him one of the most remarkable artistic careers in history. He studied art in New York, worked for Samuel Goldwyn Studios, moved to Selznick Pictures, and by 1921 (age 17) became their art director. After setting up a private studio, Selznick went bankrupt. In 1924 Hirschfeld went to Paris to study painting, sculpture and drawing. Upon his return, a drawing was published in the New York Herald Tribune and within two years his theatrical drawings were appearing in five different papers including the Times (where he worked until his death).

Hirschfeld's simple "shorthand" technique was always balanced by the fluidity and grace of his line. His ability to find just the right line, just the right composition, resulted in pure perfection; and the way he captured a personality was magical. Once compared to the dancing of Fred Astaire, his work was called "effortless, lighter than air."

And for many, the "game" of eagerly hunting for NINA is over. In 1945 Hirschfeld began "hiding" his daughter's name in his drawings as a family joke. "NINA" showed up in the folds of a dress, in hair, etc. When he stopped after a few weeks and was deluged with letters, he put it back forever. If the name were included more than once (and sometimes there were six), he would put the number next to his signature.

With his artworks appearing in dozens of publications, as well as on book covers, postage stamps, posters and even the Internet, Hirschfeld thrived on work, not accolades. However, he received due recognition for his accomplishments. In 1984 he received a special Tony Award for lifetime achievement. In 1997 he was designated a "Living Landmark" by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. In 2001, the Museum of the City of New York designated him an "Our Town Treasure." Just before his death, it was announced that he had been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and that he would be a National Medal of the Arts recipient this year. In addition, Hirschfeld's works are in the permanent collections of several major institutions, and a 1996 documentary, "The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story," was nominated for an Academy Award. On June 21st the Martin Beck Theater in Manhattan will be renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theater.

A funeral service to celebrate the life and work of Al Hirschfeld was filled to capacity by a cross-section of the arts community. Eulogies were given by fellow artist Jules Feiffer and many others.

"He was a dancer with a pen...All his drawings have incredible movement."--Tommy Tune. He will be missed.

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 13 No. 5 -- March 2003