Saul Steinberg

Resistant to pigeonholing, Steinberg’s visual intelligence and wit was highlighted by his friend Danto asserting that his illustration of the notion of aesthetics got closer than any writer could. He collaborated with Picasso on a Cadavre Exquis, got drunk on a plane with Greene (their only meeting), and with dry humour, exchanged graduation diplomas with Levi. He and Warhol, their studios five floors apart, fascinated each other. Doisneau and Penn photographed him, Robbins created a ballet inspired by his drawings, and Bellow (a great friend) accompanied him on the Nile, both terrified of the crocodiles and imagining their obituaries.