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Photograph of courtroom sketch of Melvin Belli during the Jack Ruby trial
Photograph of courtroom sketch of Melvin Belli during the Jack Ruby trial

Photograph of courtroom sketch of Melvin Belli during the Jack Ruby trial

Object number2019.026.0005
Date03/11/1964
ClassificationsArt
Artist Woodi Ishmael
ObjectCourtroom sketch
Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection
MediumPaper, Photo
Dimensions8 1/8 × 10 3/4 in. (20.6 × 27.3 cm)
Collections
DescriptionPhotograph of courtroom pencil sketch on paper by Associated Press courtroom artist Woodi Ishmael. The sketch shows defense attorney Melvin Belli during the Jack Ruby trial on March 11, 1964. The sketch shows Belli standing in the middle of the image as he faces the front of the courtroom. Seated to his left is defense attorney Joe Tonahill with Jack Ruby seated on the other side of Tonahill. In the foreground with a cigar sticking out of his mouth is District Attorney Henry Wade. A typed caption reads: "(DN9) Dallas, Tex., March 11-- 'The Defense Rests, Your Honor'-- This sketch by Artist Woodi Ishmael depicts the scene in District Criminal Court in Dallas where Jack Ruby is on trial for murder as chief defense attorney Melvin Belli, standing, advises the court that the defense rests. District Attorney Henry Wade is at left, and seated next to Belli are assistant defense attorney Joe Tonahill and Defendant Jack Ruby. (AP Wirephoto Sketch)." Ishmael's signature "Woodi Ishmael" is located in the lower left corner of the sketch. Ishmael made the original sketches for the Associated Press during the trial of Jack Ruby after the judge barred cameras from the courtroom.
Curatorial Commentary
In addition to covering the Jack Ruby trial as a sketch artist for the Associated Press, artist Woodi Ishmael (1914-1995) illustrated more than thirty-five books, painted portraits of fifty-four Air Medal of Honor winners, served as artist-in-residence aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth 2, and illustrated for a number of publications, including the Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan and National Geographic. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator
Unlike the rough sketches made by some of his contemporaries, Woodi Ishmael's drawings often had an almost whimsical comic book feel, demonstrated by the comical reaction shot of D.A. Henry Wade in this sketch. His perplexed or shocked expression, coupled with the cigar literally falling from his mouth, could have come straight out of a 1964 comic book or newspaper cartoon. It nicely illustrates the very real dynamic between the prosecution and the defense during the trial. In addition to frequent objections, both sides engaged in juvenile name calling and other petty behavior frowned upon by Judge Joe B. Brown. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator