Freda Reiter, John Dean and Maureen Dean talk to the press following his disbarment at the courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, framed pastel drawing, February 6, 1974. Drawing size: 17 x 14 inches. Frame size: 24 x 22 inches — Available for Purchase
Curiosity about the different ways that artists draw from life, was what first led Gallery 98’s Marc H. Miller to begin exploring the specialized field of courtroom illustration. An advertisement for an auction of works by ABC-TV artist Freda Reiter (1919–86) inspired a trip to Philadelphia, and the acquisition of a large collection of Reiter’s work. All of the drawings depicted trials connected to the burglary of the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate Hotel, and the subsequent cover-up that led to Richard Nixon’s resignation as president.
Back in 1934, photographers caused such a commotion at the high-profile trial of Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh’s young child, that a law was passed banning cameras in courthouses. Until recenty, only illustrators were allowed to depict trials. During the 1970s, Reiter was one of the best of these courtroom artists, skillfully capturing faces and creating scenes with as many as 25 people. At a time when color was replacing black & white television, Reiter created luminous works using color pastels.
The short documentary film that can be viewed below, provides a brief account of Watergate, and the history of courtroom illustration. The film’s highlight. however, is a newly discovered interview with Freda Reiter from the time she was making these drawings. The surprise here is how sympathetic Reiter was towards the defendants, and how little this had to do with politics. H. R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and others, were celebrities with whom she had a special working relationship. Interacting with them on a daily basis, they became more like colleagues than defendants. The sketches show their humanity. Which is not to say, that they weren’t all convicted and served jail time.
The Art of Watergate; Courtroom Sketches by Freda Reiter, Video by Cole Berry-Miller (8:43m)
Freda Reiter, Judge John Sirica holds a calendar while scheduling future court sessions, framed pastel drawing, 1974. Drawing size: 17 x 14 inches. Frame size: 24 x 22 inches — Available for Purchase
