The Hirschfeld Century: Portrait of an Artist and His Age

Editor Leopold spent 20 years documenting Hirschfeld's life and work (1903–2003), visiting the artist in his studio and then working for the Hirschfeld Foundation. The artist seems to have drawn or painted everyone who was anyone in the performing arts during the 20th century. The result of Leopold's research is a brilliant volume that offers not only a scholarly evaluation of Hirschfeld's work but also a highly enjoyable study of caricature, Broadway, Hollywood, and the century's performers. While Hirschfeld is best known for his black-and-white caricatures and outstanding use of "line," this title includes many color works, displaying his superb technique. He created 10,000 drawings in his lifetime; clearly Leopold had to make many judgement calls. Still, there is an embarrassment of riches here as readers are taken decade through decade of the world of performance. Both iconic images and the obscure are included. Such personalities as Laurel and Hardy, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and others are immediately recognizable, but the image of Congressman Claude Pepper in the shape of the state of Florida, as well as that of former U.S. vice president Spiro Agnew, may come as a surprise.