Bringing the Genius of Al Hirschfeld to Casa de Campo

Last Friday, January 13th, 2023, we had the honor of hosting David Leopold, curator of the renowned American cartoonist Al Hirschfeld’s work. The presentation of the artist’s work is part of Casa de Campo’s “Artists en Casa” program, in collaboration with the local La Romana non-profit Patronato Benéfico Oriental. The event was held at WAO Innovation HUB, in Altos de Chavón.

David Leopold, who is also the representative of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, discussed the foundation’s mission to promote, preserve and interpret the artist’s work through exhibitions in museums, theaters, and libraries, as well as supporting their development through sponsorship. This visit is in preparation for an exhibition of Hirschfeld’s work, which is set to take place later this year.

Al Hirschfeld was the quintessential cartoonist of the 20th century, known for his minimalist visual language and his fluid, rhythmic, and symbolic lines. His drawings were a regular feature in the New York Times for 75 years and can be found in many prestigious public collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and Harvard’s Theater Collection. He is the author of several books, including Manhattan Oases and Show Business is No Business, as well as 10 collections of his work. In 1996, he was declared a living landmark by the New York City Landmarks Commission and, in 2000, a living legend by the Library of Congress. Hirschfeld passed away in 2003, at the age of 99.

“Artists en Casa” has previously showcased exhibitions by Kristin Simmons and Gustavo Vélez, as well as a collective exhibition of Dominican artists Claudia Messina, Mary Rosa Jiménez, Olivette Santoni, América Olivo, Rocío Jiménez, and Florence Wiriath. Future projects include exhibitions by Refik Anadol and Al Hirschfeld.

Casa de Campo Resorts in the Dominican Republic and the PBO are committed to supporting the arts by creating open cultural spaces for all and raising funds for the most vulnerable communities. The upcoming Al Hirschfeld exhibition will be a great opportunity for art lovers to experience the unique and captivating work of this iconic cartoonist.