Hirschfeld: The Biography

Al Hirschfeld was a renowned caricaturist and artist who lived a vibrant and unique life, drawing celebrities of the stage, Hollywood actors, and Washington politicians. He lived in Paris, Moscow, and Bali, worked every day, threw dinner parties, and hosted legendary New Year's Eve soirees. He died in 2003 at the age of ninety-nine, leaving behind a legacy of his art. This biography is the first portrait of his life, crafted through interviews with Hirschfeld, his friends and family, and his famous subjects, as well as letters, scrapbooks, and home movies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 472 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2021
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Al Hirschfeld, a renowned caricaturist and artist, lived a remarkable life that spanned the twentieth century. He knew everyone and drew everyone, capturing the essence of his subjects in his pen-and-ink drawings. Hirschfeld's work was widely published in the New York Times and other publications, as well as on book jackets, album covers, posters, and postage stamps. He lived in Paris, Moscow, and Bali, surrounded by his close friends, including Carol Channing, S. J. Perelman, Gloria Vanderbilt, Brooks Atkinson, Elia Kazan, Marlene Dietrich, and William Saroyan. Hirschfeld was a multifaceted individual, engaging in various hobbies such as playing the piano, attending jazz joints with Eugene O'Neill, and writing a musical that bombed. He drove until he was ninety-eight years old and always found a parking space. He worked every day, threw dinner parties twice a week, and hosted legendary New Year's Eve soirees. Hirschfeld had three wives, a formidable agent, and a daughter, Nina, who became a famous little girl despite her anonymity.

Hirschfeld died in 2003 at the age of ninety-nine, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved and influential artists of his time. In her book, Hirschfeld: The Biography, Ellen Stern has crafted a delightful, detailed, and definitive portrait of Al Hirschfeld. Through interviews with Hirschfeld himself, his friends and family, and his famous subjects, as well as through letters, scrapbooks, and home movies, Stern has captured the essence of Hirschfeld's life, his work, and his relationships.

Hirschfeld's career began in the 1920s, when he caricatured Hollywood actors, Washington politicians, and celebrities of the stage. Broadway was his true passion, and his work appeared in numerous publications and on book jackets, album covers, posters, and postage stamps. He was a master of capturing the likeness of his subjects, whether it was a Hollywood star or a Broadway diva.

Hirschfeld's life was filled with adventure and creativity. He lived in Paris, Moscow, and Bali, experiencing different cultures and cuisines. He played the piano and went to jazz joints with Eugene O'Neill, and even wrote a musical that bombed. He was a tireless worker, throwing dinner parties twice a week and hosting legendary New Year's Eve soirees.

Hirschfeld's relationships were also a significant part of his life. He was close to his friends and family, and his closest friends, Carol Channing, S. J. Perelman, Gloria Vanderbilt, Brooks Atkinson, Elia Kazan, Marlene Dietrich, and William Saroyan, were frequent visitors to his pink New York townhouse on a star-studded block. Hirschfeld was a generous host, always welcoming his guests with open arms and a smile.

Hirschfeld's life was not without its challenges. He had three wives, a formidable agent, and a daughter, Nina, who became a famous little girl despite her anonymity. Nina's life was often overshadowed by her father's fame, and she struggled with her identity and her relationship with her father.

Hirschfeld's death in 2003 marked the end of a remarkable life. He had lived a life full of adventure, creativity, and friendship. His work will continue to inspire and influence artists for generations to come, and his legacy as one of the most beloved and influential artists of the twentieth century will endure.

In conclusion, Al Hirschfeld was a remarkable caricaturist and artist who lived a life full of adventure, creativity, and friendship. His work will continue to inspire and influence artists for generations to come, and his legacy as one of the most beloved and influential artists of the twentieth century will endure. Hirschfeld: The Biography by Ellen Stern is a delightful, detailed, and definitive portrait of Hirschfeld's life, capturing the essence of his work, his relationships, and his remarkable life.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 164 x 237 x 44 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781510759404