LeRoy Neiman: A Sketch at Elaine's

LeRoy Neiman: A Sketch at Elaine's

A personal note from LeRoy Neiman on sketching Rudolph Nureyev at Elaine's.

LeRoy Neiman's commentary on sketching choreographer Rudolph Nureyev at the New York restaurant, Elaine's.

LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

c. 1990-2011

LeRoy Neiman

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Notes

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New York (N.Y.) New York

[LeRoy Neiman / A sketch at Elaine’s / After midnight one sultry summer evening in 1981, Lee Majors and I, following our duties as judges of the Miss New York State beauty contest, were out on the town. As tradition has it, a stop at Elaine’s was in order. Seated at the table next to ours was a striking figure wearing a Russian cap. As I frequently do in public situations, once a compelling figure or something extraordinary comes into my direct line of vision, I pull out a pen, and while Lee and I chatted, rapidly sketched the subject, a highly recognizable male. While doing so, I noticed him complaining that he was chilled by the air conditioning. Then, taking matters into his own hands, he pulled one of Elaine’s checkered tablecloths off a table and wrapped it around his shoulders with a flourish. / It soon became evident to him that he was the focus of my work and a conversation ensued. When the sketch was finished, Lee was keen for a copy, and my subject responded to it with great enthusiasm as well, remarking that I’d caught the Tartar in him. I asked him if he’d sign the drawing, and he graciously complied, requesting that a copy be sent to his New York address at the Dakota. I was more than happy to accommodate. As promised, a reproduction was sent to Rudolph Nureyev.]

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