Strokes of Genius

» The Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room
Exhibition Dates: 
Tue, 2025-09-09 to Sat, 2025-09-20

The Al Hirschfeld Foundation will join forces with Helicline Fine Art and The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection (59 W. 44th St, NYC) for a new exhibition of artwork by the artist Al Hirschfeld. “Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin” will be on exhibition in the hotel’s legendary Oak Room, September 9 – 20, daily from noon – 7PM, featuring original drawings and hand signed limited edition prints from the worlds of the stage, screen, and concert hall. All artwork is available for purchase. The exhibition at The Algonquin marks the first New York City gallery exhibition of Al Hirschfeld’s work in over ten years.

Please join us for a opening reception on September 9th from 5 - 7 pm in the Oak Room. There be light refreshments, book signing, and a few surprises. You won't want to miss it.

“Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin” features over two dozen works by the legendary artist including Judy Garland at The Palace; Yul Brynner and Gertrude Lawrence in The King and I; Gwen Verdon in Redhead; Alexander Woollcott, Robert Benchley, Carol Burnett, Gershwin and more. In celebration of the release of the new book, Hirschfeld’s Sondheim, the exhibition will include a special display of Sondheim-related pieces including original drawing of Do I Hear a Waltz? ; lithographs of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with Nathan Lane, PassionPutting It Together, and a Sondheim 1977 portrait signed by Hirschfeld; an etching of Gypsy with Ethel Merman; and performer signed giclées of Sunday in the Park with George (edition of 15)Julie Andrews in Putting it Together signed by Julie Andrews (edition of 15), and a Sondheim 1999 portrait signed by Sondheim (one of only four in existence.)

“With ‘Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin, we are thrilled to make this Al Hirschfeld artwork available in a gallery exhibition for the first time in well-over a decade in New York City.” says Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s Creative Director David Leopold. “Dozens of works, originals and lithographs, will be on display for the public to view, and perhaps, to purchase for their own personal collections”

In conjunction with the live exhibition at The Algonquin, Helicline Fine Art previously announced “Hirschfeld: Strokes of Genius,” an online exhibition, September 10 through November 2. Over five dozen original, signed and numbered Hirschfeld drawings and lithographs depicting Broadway, Hollywood, TV, music and comedy are on view and available for purchase from www.heliclinefineart.com

“Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin” launches in tandem with the release of Hirschfeld’s Sondheim, a beautifully curated new poster book, celebrates the legacy of one of the American Theater’s most prolific and celebrated composer/lyricists, Stephen Sondheim, through the pen of the legendary artist Al Hirschfeld. The first volume in a series of deluxe oversized 11 x 14-inch Hirschfeld poster booksHirschfeld’s Sondheim is authored by Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s Creative Director David Leopold, features an introduction by Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters (Stephen Sondheim’s Old FriendsSunday in The Park With GeorgeInto The WoodsFolliesA Little Night Music); a foreword by Ben Brantley, former chief theater critic for The New York Times; and 58 pages with more than 50 Al Hirschfeld drawings of Sondheim and his musicals, plays and films, including 25 full page images, ready-to-frame posters. Published by Abrams ComicArts, Hirschfeld’s Sondheim will be available at bookstores everywhere on September 9, 2025.