A Famous Caricaturist Hid the Name of His Daughter in His Drawings for Decades as a Game
Like a modern-day Where's Waldo in the world of fine art, Al Hirschfeld's clever name game captured America's imagination. You've probably seen his distinctive Broadway caricatures, but did you know each drawing held a secret? Starting in 1945, he began hiding his daughter Nina's name within the flowing lines of every illustration. The number next to his signature would tell you exactly how many "NINAs" were tucked away, waiting for sharp-eyed readers to discover them.
The Birth of a Hidden Treasure
What began as hidden meanings for friends and family quickly evolved into a playful tradition that would span nearly six decades.
You'll find that his first eight drawings for the New York Times all contained secret Ninas, though they varied in difficulty. Some were obvious, while others required more careful searching.
Even a 1945 drawing of "Show Boat" featured Nina hidden in an unusual way.
His mastery of line and black-and-white illustration allowed him to cleverly conceal these hidden treasures within his artwork.
Beginning in 1960, he numbered each Nina at the end of his drawings after a reader suggested the counting system.
Curiously, when Hirschfeld drew Nina herself in 1946, he didn't include her hidden name at all.
The Art of Finding "Nina"
The tradition lasted nearly 60 years, and even the Postal Service made an exception to their rules about hidden messages in stamp designs for Hirschfeld's work. Like featured articles that require consensus for promotion, Hirschfeld's artistic works underwent careful scrutiny before being accepted for stamps. Hirschfeld began this practice when his daughter Nina was born in 1945, incorporating her name into his signature caricatures.
Behind the Artist's Drawing Board
Perched in a converted barber chair at his Manhattan studio, Al Hirschfeld created his masterpieces using surprisingly simple tools. His favorite was a genuine crow quill pen dipped in black ink, which he used to create his signature line drawings.
His original training at the Art Students League shaped his early artistic development. The artistic techniques he developed were remarkably straightforward. He'd often draw from memory rather than live sittings, completing most pieces in a single session. Over his 75-year career, he kept refining and simplifying his style.
His studio environment reflected his theatrical world. You'd find the walls covered with show business memorabilia and artifacts. One special piece remained constant – a drawing of his daughter Nina, which hung in his Upper East Side workspace for decades.
From this creative space, he captured Broadway and Hollywood's biggest stars with just a few perfect lines.
A Father's Love in Lines and Letters
Within those same ink-filled lines that captured Broadway's brightest stars, Hirschfeld wove a touching tribute to his daughter Nina. His fatherly affection first emerged in 1945 when he cleverly hid her name in a drawing for "Are You With It?" musical.
The legendary artist created approximately 10,000 drawings throughout his career, making the Nina hunt a widespread cultural phenomenon.
You'll find his artistic expression of love lasted nearly 60 years, with Nina's name tucked away in sleeves, hairdos, eyebrows, and even shoelaces.
By 1960, he'd start numbering the hidden NINAs next to his signature. On special occasions, like Nina's 21st birthday drawing for GQ, he'd mix things up by hiding "AL" and "DOLLY" instead.
What started as a father's simple gesture became a beloved tradition that captivated readers every Sunday morning until Hirschfeld's death in 2003.
When Fans Joined the Hunt
By the time "Nina hunting" caught on with readers, Hirschfeld's playful father-daughter tribute had transformed into America's favorite Sunday morning game.
You'd find families gathered around the New York Times, competing to spot all the hidden "Ninas" in his latest caricature.
The fan engagement grew so intense that the Times started including an official "Nina count" with each drawing.
You could see people scanning every line and curve, determined to find each occurrence of his daughter's name.
With over 10,000 drawings created throughout his career, Hirschfeld gave fans decades of Nina-hunting entertainment.
The artist's marriage to famous actress Dolly Haas brought joy not only to his life but also inspired this endearing tradition.
It became such a popular family activity that even Broadway shows used the "Nina" hunt in their marketing.
TV shows featured segments about finding "Ninas," and the phrase "Find the Nina" became part of everyday conversation.
A Legacy Written in Names
While Al Hirschfeld began hiding "Nina" as a simple tribute to his daughter in 1945, the practice evolved into his artistic signature for nearly 60 years.
You'll find that his playful name-hiding went far beyond a family joke, becoming a defining element of his artistic style. The hidden meanings in his work influenced how he approached his line work and compositions, forcing him to be more creative with each drawing.
When you look at Hirschfeld's legacy today, you'll see how his artistic playfulness shaped American cultural history – from Broadway playbills to U.S. postage stamps. The practice even inspired other artists to include hidden elements in their own work.
What started as a father's loving gesture became a national pastime that transformed the way people engaged with caricature art.
