AL HIRSCHFELD.
George Gershwin. Illustration featuring Gershwin at the keyboard in tuxedo with cigar, published in the New York Times, December 31, 1973. Ink on board. 240x224 mm; 9 1/2x8 3/4 inches, on 16 3/4x18 3/4-inch board. Signed lower left image; ex-collection AT&T with their purchase and inventory stamp on verso (dated 11/7/73) to two private collections.

one of the most iconic portraits of the great american composer and pianist by the master of caricature.

Hirschfeld was a contemporary of George and Ira Gershwin and the three were friends since childhood in New York. His first published drawing of George was of him conducting the score to the 1930 revival of Strike Up the Band, in 1930. He would go on to produce over 20 more drawings of him before and after Gershwin's premature death at the age of 38.

The Gershwin brothers defined Jazz Age America through hits such as "Lady, Be Good," "Rhapsody in Blue," and "I Got Rhythm," and elevated musical comedy to an American art form with scores for "Of Thee I Sing " and "Let `Em Eat Cake." You can practically hear those classic sonbgook standards flowing from his keyboard in this marvelous illustration.