A man was recognized in Hollywood when Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003) drew a caricature of him. The artist was perhaps the most successful cartoonist in America, having published books upon books of caricatures of famous personalities. Hirschfeld''s first jobs were in the movie industry and he worked as the art director of Selznick Pictures, managed by David O. Selznick. Hirschfeld was responsible for the poster promotional of the silent motion picture ''The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.'' It was in the early days of the movie industry that he rubbed shoulders with stars in show business, becoming good friends with Charlie Chaplin eating with the Marx Brothers on occasion. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the cartoonist''s mother raised him in New York. He attended the Art Students League and obtained a position at the Warner Brothers Film studio. He later studied painting and classical European motifs in Paris in 1924. By the late 20s, he knew he was interested in pursuing caricature art as a profession. In 1928 he received a telegram from the New York Times. The Times requested that he draw a portrait of the Scottish comedian Harry Lauder. By the time he finished that, the Times wanted another portrait done, this time of Zasu Pitts. Steady work from the paper continued for almost two years. Hirschfeld claims that during those two years he never met any of the newspaper staff, and continually turned his work in to the doorman. Later on he became a well-established caricature artist for the New York Times. In his portraits he would always hide the letters of his daughter''s name, N-I-N-A, after her birth in 1945. Readers of the Times'' Arts and Leisure section were quite familiar with the game, checking to see if the number of ''Ninas'' they found matched the numeral Hirschfeld had attached to his signature. This original 1975 Hirschfeld poster which contains 3 Ninas, is linen backed, measures 30'' x 46'' and is in excellent condition. Status: For Sale Reference#: ALHIRSCHFELD Condition: Excellent Year: 1975 Country: USA Maker: Al Hirschfeld Height: 46 in. (116.84 cm) Width: 30 in. (76.20 cm) Title: 1975 Godfrey Daniels Harry Hirschfeld Poster Materials: Linen backed

Art (paintings, prints, frames)
Vintage Posters