The Smithsonian Institution’s Marc Pachter interviews Al Hirschfeld as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s education series, Living Self-Portraits. Al Hirschfeld is best known for his caricatures of theatrical superstars. The conversation paints a portrait of Hirschfeld’s life and the path that led him to his art form. From his family’s move from Saint Louis to New York so that he could pursue drawing, to his early career at Goldman Pictures and Selznick Pictures, to his time in France. The two men discuss how he came to draw for publications like the Times and Brooklyn Eagle and the influences of Tahiti and Bali on his artwork. The interview concludes with Hirschfeld telling Pachter of his opinions on theatre today. Hirschfeld has been witness to the growth and development of theatrical productions. He has seen theatre improve tremendously, which has provided him over the years with ever more stimulating content for his caricatures.
Recorded on June 28, 1996.
Full transcript available upon request from NPGResearch@si.edu. Please include the Object Number in your request. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.