The French Touch

Brian Aherne, Arlene Francis, Jacqueline Dalya, Madeleine Le Beau.

Published in the New York Times. 1945.

Ink and blue wash on board.

20 x 15 in.

All Hirschfeld fans are familiar with his practice of hiding his daughter Nina‘s name in his illustrations. It began with the very first illustration he created after she was born in 1945.

Hirschfeld facetiously included her name in a drawing for a musical called Are You With It? The musical's circus setting allowed him to include among the freak show posters one for "NINA the Wonder Child."

According to Hirschfeld Archivist, David Leopold, this is the second appearance of a Nina in a Hirschfeld illustration.

This illustration of the comedy, The French Touch, is not only a lovely piece of illustration, but it contains the first ever hidden Nina. This is where the hunt truly began. When fans began finding Nina in his pieces, they began looking for them and it created a sensation.

You can't have the first Nina, but you can own this, the FIRST Hidden Nina. A one-of-a-kind piece, historically significant, the first instance of a Nina hidden in a Hirschfeld, a game that would captivate millions and continue for another 57 years.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the non-profit Al Hirschfeld Foundation.

If you would like further information about this piece or any others in the exhibition, you are welcome to email us, or call us at 310-909-1929 during business hours.