Alexander Herrmann portrait by Steven Paul Carlson
A 15” x 20” graphite portrait of legendary magician Alexander Herrmann (Herrmann the Great), whose iconic look defined the classic image of the theatrical magician. Portrait by Steven Paul Carlson.
Alexander Herrmann, better known as Herrmann the Great, came from a family of magicians. He was the youngest of 16 children born to Samuel Herrmann and Anna Sarah (Meyer) Herrmann. His father, Samuel, born in Germany, was a magician but also became a physician. As Samuel’s family grew, he gave up his magic to practice medicine full-time. Samuel moved his new family to France.
Samuel’s first son was Compars “Carl” Herrmann. Compars, opposite to his father, left medical school to go into magic full-time.
Alexander also had a great interest in magic and Compars, took him on as his magic assistant at the young age of 8. They traveled throughout Europe with a very successful show.
Alexander began his independent career in magic in America in 1862. He had a number of very successful tours in England and Europe. But out of respect to his older brother Compars, Alexander moved back to America, settling into his own successful magic career.
Alexander was tall and thin and always dressed immaculately. He had wavy black hair and wore a magnificent handlebar mustache with a goatee, which added to his Mephistophelean appearance.
According to H. J. Burlingame, Alexander Herrmann’s personality presented “an atmosphere of mystery about the magician.” Burlingame also noted that Herrmann was one of the kindest and gentlest of men.
Herrmann died on December 16, 1896, at the age of 52. Herrmann’s wife, Adelaide, continued her husband’s show, becoming the Queen of Magic, the first lady of magic. She performed for 25 years, retiring at the age of 75.
Herrmann the Great performed a large stage illusion show, but he was best known for his elegant sleight of hand.
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art & magic 