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Al Hirschfeld

Al Hirschfeld
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Miriam Troop, 27 Apr 1917 - 19 Nov 2016
Sitter
Al Hirschfeld, 21 Jun 1903 - 21 Jan 2003
Date
1999
Type
Drawing
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Sheet: 35.7 x 28cm (14 1/16 x 11")
Topic
Interior\Studio\Art
Art implements\Paintbrush
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Beard
Equipment\Drafting & Writing Implements\Writing implement\Pencil
Costume\Dress Accessory\Mask
Artwork\Poster
Artwork\Drawing
Artwork\Cartoon
Artwork\Wall hanging
Al Hirschfeld: Male
Al Hirschfeld: Literature\Writer
Al Hirschfeld: Visual Arts\Artist\Caricaturist
Al Hirschfeld: Visual Arts\Artist\Illustrator
Al Hirschfeld: Visual Arts\Artist\Printmaker\Lithographer
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Miriam Troop
Object number
NPG.2000.52
Exhibition Label
Born St. Louis, Missouri
During a career spanning more than seventy years, caricaturist Al Hirschfeld drew whimsical yet sharply observed portraits of virtually every major twentieth-century entertainer, politician, and celebrity. His elegantly minimalist style influenced generations of illustrators and cartoonists and provided the model for animated characters such as the genie in the Disney film Aladdin (1992). Hirschfeld’s work was featured in publications as diverse as the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and TV Guide, and even graced the cover of Aerosmith’s album Draw the Line (1977). His drawings drew more attention when it became known that he discreetly wove his daughter’s name, Nina, into his illustrations’ flowing lines.
In this portrait, Miriam Troop represented the artist still at work at age ninety-six. In tribute to his long career, she included several of his celebrity caricatures in the background, including those of Arthur Rubinstein, Sonny and Cher, Carol Burnett, and Jerry Seinfeld.
Nacido en St. Louis, Misuri
Durante una carrera de más de 70 años, el caricaturista Al Hirschfeld dibujó retratos chistosos y a la vez penetrantes de casi todos los artistas, políticos y celebridades importantes del siglo XX. Su elegante estilo minimalista influyó en generaciones de ilustradores y humoristas gráficos, y fue modelo para el desarrollo de personajes animados tales como el genio en la película Aladino (1992) de Disney. La obra de Hirschfeld figuró en publicaciones tan diversas como el New York Times, Rolling Stone y TV Guide, e incluso en la carátula del disco de Aerosmith Draw the Line (1977). Sus dibujos atrajeron aún mayor atención cuando se supo que entre sus líneas fluidas escondía discretamente el nombre de su hija, Nina.
En este retrato, Miriam Troop mostró al artista aún activo a los 96 años. Como tributo a su larga carrera, incluyó en el fondo varias de sus caricaturas de personalidades, entre ellas Arthur Rubinstein, Sonny y Cher, Carol Burnett y Jerry Seinfeld.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view