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Ida Kar

1 of 2 portraits by Suren Stepanian

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Ida Kar

by Suren Stepanian
pencil and ink, 1957
14 1/2 in. x 11 1/2 in. (370 mm x 291 mm)
Purchased with funding from the Elizabeth Weisz Fund, 2004
Primary Collection
NPG 6667

Sitterback to top

  • Ida Kar (1908-1974), Photographer. Sitter in 137 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 1567 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Suren Stepanian (1895-1971), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This caricature of Kar as part-camera, wearing her signature Armenian hat, was made during her 1957 visit to the country and the result of one of several sittings with artists. She wrote to Musgrave: 'I am becoming a heroic figure for them [the Armenians]. They will never forget me….One day I am posing for a painter, the next for sculptor…I am becoming almost legendary…'

Placesback to top

Events of 1957back to top

Current affairs

Harold Macmillan takes over as Conservative prime minister, manoeuvring Eden out of power after his poor handling of the Suez Crisis the previous year.
The Wolfenden Report recommends that homosexuality should no longer be a criminal offence. It still took ten years, however, before any changes were made to the law on homosexuality with the Sexual Offences Act in 1967.

Art and science

The Today Programme is first broadcast on Radio 4. This early morning current affairs programme is known for breaking major stories early, and for its hard-hitting approach and tough interviewing style. Presenters have included: Robert Robinson, Brian Redhead, Libby Purves, Jenni Murray, Sue MacGregor, John Humphrys, Anna Ford and James Naughtie.

International

The Treaty of Rome leads to the formation of the European Economic Community. Officially beginning on 1st January 1958, the EEC established a European Common Market, where goods, services, labour and capital could move freely within the European member countries, and shared policies were agreed for labour, social welfare, agriculture, transport, and foreign trade. The EEC preceded the European Community, and the European Union.

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