Hirschfeld self-portrait
Three notable American’s left us this week, and with each passing a chapter of history has been written. Al Hirschfeld is somebody I would have liked to meet. Since the 1920’s — and right up until just a few weeks ago — his elegant and witty portraits of celebrities and statesmen graced the pages of the New York Times. For many people, his style evokes New York. The Margo Feiden Galleries, exclusive agent for his work, kept its warehouse just around the corner from where I used to work in Greenwich Village. I would pass by nearly every day and never failed to stop and appreciate the drawings. I admired him immensely.
More than just a chronicler of history, his unique style elevated him to iconic status. Few people have lived the span he did, let alone maintained such a level of influence for so long. Seeing a Hirschfeld drawing in the theater section of the Times — and counting the “Ninas” — has been a ritual comfort and a source of entertainment for generations of readers. His first published drawing was of the French actor Sacha Guitry in 1926; the last piece published in the Times while he was still alive was a portrait of Tommy Tune. Hirschfeld passed away on January 20 at the age of 99.