FAMOUS PEOPLE

Manuel Rosenberg has sketched presidents, kings, popes, scientists, actors, and generals. He has sketched more celebrities than any other artist in the world and is probably the most widely known sketch artist in this country. For years, he amassed a collection of over 20,000 personally autographed celebrity drawings, including those of President Harding, General Pershing, Lloyd George, King Albert of Belgium. Of particular interest is a sketch of Mrs. Harding and the story of how the “first lady of the land happened to pose.” 

 

The Sketch Artist on Tour

On a Monday in December, General John J. Pershing was to arrive in Cincinnati from Louisville. Such an extraordinary famous visitor makes, of course, a very big story. We had many photographs of him, as had other papers. We wanted something original and a story of greeting to Cincinnati from the General’s lips. Therefore as Pershing was to arrive in Louisville on Sunday the reporter and I left for that city Saturday evening. Bright and early Sunday morning we were on the job. The General’s private car was parked within the shed. An admiring throng stood at a respectful distance from the train, which was guarded by a company of soldiers. Being newspaper men we were admitted to the General’s coach. He was eating his breakfast at the moment, with his aide. We asked the captain of the guard permission to interview the General. His reply to our request was that he had orders not to let anyone in to see the noted officer. I immediately returned to the uncurtained coach window, through which I could well see my subject and, despite the biting zero weather, I managed to sketch the large head here shown. Remember this admonition - always get your stuff NOW. You may have a chance to make your sketch later, but that would be to take a chance. Finally my fingers became so benumbed that I could hardly hold my pencil for drawing my sketch. So I forcibly wrote a brief note and addressed it to the General’s aide, which the captain himself brought to him, still seated at breakfast with the General.

 

The captain soon returned with this information: “The general said to have the artist come in, but to keep the reporter out, as he does not care to be interviewed.”

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I went in immediately. Within a moment the General had finished his repast and in true military manner was about to dismiss me so that he might dress. He asked to see my sketch. Quickly I turned the page to the sketch I had drawn in the cold (the large head). It met with his approval and his suggestion to make the nose and chin larger, I carried out to his satisfaction. You will note by this incident the value of getting your sketch early. 

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-Manuel Rosenberg, Practical Art, 1924

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