Eddie Vitch, a Polish-born caricaturist and mime, rose to fame in 1930s Hollywood for his distinctive caricatures of celebrities, which became a symbol of success, particularly at the iconic Brown Derby establishment. His life, however, was marked by extraordinary intrigue—during WWII, he survived by performing for Nazi audiences unaware of his Jewish identity. After the war, he reinvented himself as an internationally acclaimed mime artist, blending art, survival, and performance in a remarkable personal journey.
How do you read a face? Eddie Vitch is the artist to ask. Vitch did more than capture his subject’s appearance and personality in a few graceful lines—his caricatures often concealed clever, witty references beneath their artful surfaces. Some camouflaged and others in plain view. What can you see?
Fairbanks’ energetic, larger-than-life and swashbuckling onscreen presence helped define the action-adventure genre during Hollywoods silent film era.
Vitchs iconic portraits are known for their distinctive, stylized caricatures, and were originally created for advertising purposes. Signed by the artist these works exude both authenticity and acclaim. These works would be a delight for art sleuths and lovers of Hollywood’s Golden Age alike, collectors of history and stories.
Eddie VITCH (1903 - 1986)
'Douglas Fairbanks' 1931
ink on paper
Image Size: 37 x 28 cm
Dimensions: 37 x 28 cm
Signed: Signed and dated lower right
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Condition: Excellent
(c) The Artist or Assignee