Al Hirschfeld Appraisal

Al Hirschfeld Caricature of Martin Scorsese

This is a monochrome pen-and-ink style illustration, characteristic of the legendary American caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The subject is filmmaker Martin Scorsese, depicted lounging in a director-style folding chair with his arms crossed. The artwork is defined by Hirschfeld\'s signature calligraphic line work, which uses varying thicknesses to convey weight and movement with minimalistic elegance. The composition focuses on Scorsese\'s iconic features, including his thick eyebrows and glasses, rendered in a whimsical yet instantly recognizable manner. The piece is signed 'HIRSCHFELD' in block lettering in the lower-left corner. The illustration is executed on a clean, light-colored off-white or cream art paper. It appears to be framed under glass with a slim, modern frame. True to the artist's tradition, one might search for the hidden name 'NINA' within the line work of the hair or chair, a personal trademark Hirschfeld included in most of his work after 1945. The condition appears to be excellent with no visible foxing, yellowing, or structural tearing, indicating it has been well-preserved in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light. The style suggests mid-to-late 20th-century production, likely originally created for a publication like The New York Times.