Al Hirschfeld: King of the Caricaturists

Louise Kerz Hirschfeld discusses the work of her late husband, Al Hirschfeld, along with David Leopold, who organized “The Hirschfeld Century: The Art of Al Hirschfeld” at the New-York Historical Society. The exhibition features more than 100 original drawings, from the Hirshfeld’s early work for Hollywood studios to his last drawings for the New York Times, where he was a contributor for more than 70 years. “The Hirschfeld Century: The Art of Al Hirschfeld” is on view at the New-York Historical Society through October 12.

Al Hirschfeld. Laurel and Hardy. Ink, watercolor, collage wallpaper sample, and photograph, 1928. Collection of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation

(© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation)

Al Hirschfeld. Charles De Gaulle, Gouache on board, 1945. Collection of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation

(© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation)

Al Hirschfeld. Mikhail Baryshnikov in Metamorphosis, 1989. Ink on board. Collection of Harvard University

(© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation)

Al Hirschfeld. Ella Fitzgerald, 1993. Ink on board. Collection of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation

(© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation)

Al Hirschfeld. 2000 Academy Award Nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress, 2001 (Laura Linney in You Can Count on Me, Tom Hanks in Cast Away, Russell Crowe in Gladiator, Ellen Burstyn in Requiem for a Dream, Ed Harris in Pollock, Geoffrey Rush in Quills, Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich, Joan Allen in The Contender, Javier Bardem in Before Night Falls, Juliette Binoche in Chocolat). Ink on board. Collection of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation

(© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation)

Al Hirschfeld. Richard Kiley in Man of La Mancha, 1977. Ink on board. Collection of Harvard University

(© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation./The Al Hirschfeld Foundation)