March 23, 2008
The Lost Drawings of George Wachsteter
The Lost Drawings of George Wachsteter
A 30 Year Retrospective
March 10 - April 10, 2008
Lecture: March 28, 6-7 pm
Reception: March 28 7-9pm
Self-taught New York illustrator and caricaturist George Wachsteter drew extensively from 1937-1967 for the New York Times, the New York Herald, the New York Journal American, the New York World Telegram and for the NBC, ABC, and CBS Radio and Television Networks. Next to Al Hirschfeld, he was one of the most prodigious theatrical caricaturists working in New York during the '40s and '50s.
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Until recently the life's work of George Wachsteter had all but faded into obscurity after a gradual loss of his vision tragically ended his drawing career prematurely in the late 1960s. Hundreds of his ink drawings, sketches, and paintings have sat unseen in boxes for decades until they were discovered after his death in 2004.
Sir John Gielgud performing in a production of Medea in the 1940s.
Wartburg professor Matthew Wilson has worked with his estate to archive the vast collected works he left behind and has curated an exhibit of selected drawings. With the generous cooperation of his family's estate, the Wartburg Art Gallery is proud to present the premiere retrospective of the “lost drawings” of George Wachsteter.
Gallery visitors will be delighted by George's finely crafted ink drawings and watercolors of such celebrated performers as Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Humphrey Bogart, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Jimmy Stewart, Cab Calloway, Zero Mostel, Ethel Waters, Rex Harrison, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson and many more.
Curator and Gallery Director Matthew Wilson will present a lecture on the exhibition on Friday, March 28 at 6 pm.
Go Matthew! These are very, very cool. I know you're totally strapped for time these days, so thanks for the post. I'd love to hear more about what it was like putting this show together. How'd you hear about these drawings?
Posted by: tracy at March 24, 2008 04:03 PMThese are indeed very nice. In my deep ignorance, I'd say his style resembles Hirschfeld's, minus the NINAs.
I added a Wikipedia entry for Wachsteter, I hope it passes muster, please add info! There is so little information on Wachsteter on the Internet, besides Matthew's exhibit, that I'd almost suspect this of being a hoax. Just goes to show the limits of the Web when you dig a little deeper.
Posted by: Kai Carver at April 9, 2008 03:00 AMThanks, Kai! I will definitely add info and images. Indeed, there is very little information on George--he literally did pass into obscurity. I will write more about George when I have time... I gave a lecture on his work last week.
Posted by: Matthew at April 10, 2008 08:33 AM