The Hirschburg Murder: A Photo(grapher’s) Finish

710 Main St.

You’re over halfway finished with your art walk, so we hope you’ve learned a thing or two about our city’s rich art history. But if jazz music and film history don’t intrigue you, perhaps a famous murder will. That’s right. Richmond’s art scene is as infamous as it is famous. You have now arrived at the exact location where prominent Richmond photographer Roy Hirschburg was shot.

Hirschburg was a nationally-renowned photographer of the 20th century. In fact, he was named one of the top 20 photographers in the United States in 1955 by Paul Gittings, President of the Photography Association of America. He was known for his wit and humor, and at one time was said to have “mugged” everybody from a US president to a notorious gangster”.

But on Tuesday, March 26, 1957, his successful career was cut short when he was shot in front of his studio at 710 Main Street. Today this is the new location of Dudas Law (ironic, eh?).

One of Hirschburg’s photographs depicts another group of famous Richmond artists, the Overbeck sisters. If you’re looking for some extra credit, head back to the Art Museum at the completion of this art walk and check out an Overbeck piece.