‘The Lion King’ at the Algonquin Hotel – Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Al Hirschfeld
When I was invited to attend the Hirschfeld retrospective, I immediately flashed back to the Sunday NYTimes, front page of the Arts Section. It was an anticipated ‘game’ played by all who adored this brilliant artist. The goal was to locate the hidden ‘Nina’ in Hirschfeld’s signature drawings. For those unfamiliar with this addition/addiction, Al Hirschfeld’s celebrity caricatures included his daughter’s name concealed within the picture. Following his signature was a number, indicating the times Nina’s name was obscured.
Last night at the Algonquin Hotel, I had the pleasure of attending a memorable New York moment. I, along with other ardent Hirschfeld fans, joined in poring overthe collection of original drawings and hand-signed, limited-edition prints. Covering the walls of the Oak Room in a show entitled ‘Strokes of Genius’, this massive body of work covers a nine-decade career.
Aside from his 75-year association with The New York Times, his calligraphic work appeared on numerous book and record covers, as well as 15 postage stamps. He’s been represented in public collections, including the Metropolitan, the Whitney, and Harvard’s Theater Collection.
His work is synonymous with Broadway, most specifically his devotion and depiction of Stephen Sondheim.
In 2003, when Hirschfeld would have turned 100, and only 6 months before his death, the Martin Beck Theatre was renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. To date, the only artist to have a Broadway theatre named after them. He was declared a Living Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Commission in 1996 and a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2000.
The Al Hirschfeld Foundation sponsored ‘Celebrating the life and legacy of The Lion King’, a must-see show with a nostalgic note to Broadway, but most distinctly Hirschfeld’s linear characteristic style.
Lynn Surry – Chair Emeritus; The Al Hirschfeld Foundation LW
Nancy Dann – Margo Feiden Galleries – Director 1998 – 2003
Louise Hirschfeld Cullman – wife of the late Al Hirschfeld
The Algonquin Hotel – 59 West 44th Street; through September 20 – noon to 7pm
info@AlHirschfeldFoundation.org
a special thanks to my dear friend Nancy Dann;
Managing Director of the Margo Feiden Gallery; 1998 – 2003
What an inspiring tribute to the great Artist! Hats Off!
What an iconic “New York event”! So glad you could take it in and share your thoughts about it.
Wonderful!