This caricature was created by Philip James Herman, a professional artist specializing in personalized portraits and live event caricatures. The piece, dated 1984, appears to be a promotional or commemorative gift associated with Viti Bros., a well-known Mercedes-Benz dealership formerly located in Middletown, Rhode Island.
About the Artist: Philip James Herman, a long-time caricature artist based in the NY/NJ area.
Specialty: He is known for creating “deal scenarios” and “portrait scenario gifts” that place individuals in custom scenes, often involving vehicles or career-related themes.
Style: His work frequently features vibrant colors and flattering cartoon portraits, often created on custom-designed paper for corporate clients.
The Subject Matter: The drawing features “Jackie” in a red Mercedes-Benz R107 (likely a 380SL or 450SL model, popular in the 1980s). The Viti Bros. branding suggests this may have been a custom gift for a customer or an employee of the dealership during that era.