‘The Line King’ exhibition of Al Hirschfeld drawings, other works opens in NYC

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A new exhibition looks at the prolific career of Al Hirschfeld, whose simple pen-and-ink drawings immortalized the world of theatre and dance.

“The Line King’s Library” opens at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on Thursday. It is compiled entirely from the library’s extensive Hirschfeld material.

Hirschfeld, who died in 2003 at the age of 99, was celebrated for his linear calligraphic caricatures of theatre, dance and film personalities. The drawings appeared on album covers, film posters, magazines and in The New York Times for 75 years.

In addition to his drawings, highlights include drafts, sketch books and video of Hirschfeld and some of his most famous subjects talking about each other, including Arthur Miller, Carol Channing, Carol Burnett and Zero Mostel.