Norton Simon

• May 28, 1973
• Don Bachardy (American, b. 1934)
• Pencil and ink on paper
• Norton Simon Art Foundation

This portrait of museum founder Norton Simon was made by Los Angeles-based artist Don Bachardy, best known for probing portrayals of actors and artists that he completes in a single sitting. The commission for this drawing came about through Mr. Simon’s wife, Jennifer Jones, a long-time friend of Bachardy and his partner Christopher Isherwood. As the artist recalled many years later, Jones agreed to sit for Bachardy on the condition that he depict her husband as well. Mr. Simon dutifully posed for two drawings on May 28, 1973, which he signed and dated himself, as was Bachardy’s custom. After the sittings, however, Ms. Jones “laughingly reneged” on her agreement, and she never did acquiesce to pose for Bachardy herself. The drawings of Simon chronicle the first and only time that the famed collector sat for a portrait, and they depict their subject as watchful but relaxed, offering some sense of the interest and attention that he directed to works of art.

2007: Don Bachardy Draws Norton Simon

Despite his commitment to collecting art, Norton Simon had his own portrait made twice—and both times were by the Los Angeles-based artist Don Bachardy. In 2007, former chief curator Carol Togneri interviewed Bachardy about his career as a celebrity portraitist and his sessions with Simon. The interview was conducted to commemorate the centenary of Simon’s birth and the Norton Simon Art Foundation’s acquisition of the Bachardy portraits in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Their conversation is a rare opportunity to hear the celebrated draftsman reflect on his friendship with Simon and his wife Jennifer Jones Simon, their passionate conversations about art and Simon’s particular penchant for holding a pose.