Original Caricature Portrait

A striking original portrait of the glamorous French-American coloratura soprano, shown performing as Lakmé at the Metropolitan Opera in 1946, by the noted American illustrator and caricaturist Sam Norkin. He has signed "Norkin" at the lower left. Ink on card. Some light wear and soiling; corner loss; caption on verso; overall very good. 14.5 x 19 inches (36 x 47 cm).

New York-born cartoonist Samuel Norkin specialized in theater and arts caricatures for more than seven decades. His drawings of theater, opera, ballet and film celebrities appeared in Variety, Backstage, The Philadelphia Enquirer, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe and many other publications. He is best-known for his long tenure providing theatrical illustrations for the New York Herald Tribune (1940–1956) and covering performing arts for the Daily News (from the 1950's to the 1980's.) His highly engaging drawings have been said to "metaphorically grab the reader-onlooker by the shoulders." Because Norkin would draw the performers in rehearsal, his caricatures often served as an effective advance press for shows as they went on the pre-Broadway circuit. (15281)

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Art

Classical Music

Opera

• Sold