B. 1903-1986

Polish born Eddie Vitch dedicated much of his career to the European cabaret scene, moving to Hollywood in the 1930’s. It was here that he was commissioned by the owner of the iconic Los Angeles Brown Derby restaurant to create drawings of the famous patrons. Iconic figures such as Charlie Chaplin and Joan Crawford were memorialised by Vitch in his unique caricature style, and Vitch’s drawings became an important part of the Brown Derby’s legacy, their celebrity status cemented in time with the hanging of the portraits at the revered establishment.

Vitch’s caricatures transcend its genre, not just an exaggerated representation of the person’s appearance, but an erudite look inside his chosen subject’s fame and unique personalities. Abstraction allows curiosity, also prompting the viewer to find hidden messages among the bold and stylised line work.

There was much more to his career than his stint as a visual artist, devoting much of his talent to the stage. The depth of character portrayed in his distinctive style acts as an ode to Vitch’s own experience as an actor and mime. Returning to Europe in 1934, Vitch’s career on stage skyrocketed. Even as a Jewish man during the Nazi regime in Europe, Vitch evaded suspicion and performed in Paris in front of Nazi officers and the Gestapo in Paris and Berlin. 

For a more in-depth biography of this artist, click here.