Hirschfeld On Line [Hardcover]

Al Hirschfeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Over 400 Hirschfeld drawings and photographs - many never before collected. Includes essays by Whoopi Goldberg, Arthur Miller, Mel Gussow, Kurt Vonnegut, Grace Mirabella, Louise Kerz Hirschfeld and more! Commentary by Hirschfeld throughout.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Al Hirschfeld is one of the greatest caricaturists ever to have put pen to paper, and this monumental retrospective is a testament to his genius. From '30s icons like actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine to the stars of Seinfeld, Hirschfeld's fluid line has limned some of the most enduring images of our favorite entertainers. The collection opens with a biographical essay by New York Times writer Mel Gussow that sketches the arc of Hirschfeld's career and the development of his reputation as a chronicler of American show business. Additional essays by Arthur Miller, Kurt Vonnegut, Whoopi Goldberg, and Hirschfeld's daughter Nina cast further light on the artist, but the bulk of the book is, of course, given over to his wonderful drawings. Hirschfeld has written that it is his aim to capture character, rather than caricature, and each of the hundreds of images reproduced here encapsulates its subject perfectly, without ever resorting to cruelty. After more than six decades, Hirschfeld has recorded the careers of generations of performers, and this collection further illuminates his work by including comments on each drawing by the artist himself, providing a delightful personal history of Broadway, Hollywood, and all points in between. --Simon Leake

From Library Journal

Broadway and Al Hirschfeld are as inextricably linked as Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, the Marx Brothers, or Stella and Stanley Kowalski?a Hirschfeld drawing elevates both artist and image to the status of cultural icon. The 500-plus drawings, paintings, and photographs selected for this celebratory jewel span Hirschfeld's 70-year (and counting) career and are a moveable feast of art and theater history. In addition to laudatory tributes by Mel Gussow, Arthur Miller, the one-and-only Nina, and others, Hirschfeld himself provides delightful insight and commentary on most of the drawings, dishing up annecdotes, quips, and bon mots that would have made best friend S.J. Perelman proud. Regretfully, a 32-page section of full-color photographs was not available for review. For anyone who cares a whit for the theater, has ever perused the theater pages of the New York Times, or assiduously tried to find each and every hidden "Nina," this treasure chest of Broadway booty is an unmitigated joy.?Barry X. Miller, Austin Public Lib., TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 346 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557833567
• ISBN-13: 978-1557833563
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Nina", January 14, 2000

By 

Kristal (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hirschfeld On Line (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed looking through this book. I am absolutely in love with theater and I love seeing how he depicts all of my favorite shows and actors. He's been through the "Golden Age" of theater and has also done so much work for modern entertainment. I also have tons of fun looking for all the hidden "Nina"s. Just in case you might not know what I'm talking about, let me explain. After his daughter was born, Hirschfield began hiding her name in his drawings. The number by his "signiture" indicates the number of "Nina"s in the drawing. "Nina" is also written all in caps. Because of this, this book is not going to be just some ordinary coffee table book that only his fans might check out. It could also be a great deal of amusement for those who like to play the kind of "Where's Waldo" games.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful collection of Hirschfeld's caricatures, May 25, 1999

By 

Dorothy Zaremba ([e-mail]) (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hirschfeld On Line (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for my husband, and I fell in love with with the book myself. I recently visited the Delaware River Museum and saw my first in-person Hirschfeld line drawing of George C. Scott housed in the museum. Mr. Hirschfeld captures a personality with the stroke of a few lines. This book is wonderful. It has inspired my husband, a professional artist, to study Mr. Hirschfeld's style, and I found my husband doing line drawings yesterday. Packed with 400 drawings and photographs, this is a "must have" book for any Hirschfeld follower.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's All Here..., June 29, 2004

By 

Danielle Bennignus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hirschfeld On Line (Hardcover)

Here is the indispensible Hirschfeld book - a must for any fan of his work, or of line in general. From his earliest pieces, all the way through his long career with New York theatre, his work is showcased - and done so through his eyes. Each piece is described by this great artist - his inspirations, methods, and thoughts. I cannot imagine a better way to present his wonderful drawings, and I am so very, very thankful that this collection was printed before his death. Although, yes, the work would show just as beautifully without, his commentary alongside each piece just opens up an entirely new viewpoint. This is a truly timeless book, and I highly recommend it.