[Einstein, Albert] - Aaron Tycko

Original photograph. Silver gelatin print on linen-textured paper.
9 1/4 x 7 1/4 in.; 237 x 184 mm.
Mounted on cardboard (14 x 11 in.; 350 x 276 mm. Photographer’s stamps to mount "Study by Tycko - The Ambassador". Signed by the photographer on the print "Tycko SA". 
Different versions of the portrait are known; this one seems to be the rarest. 
Inscribed on the mount by Einstein to Leopold Godowski: "Godowsky zurn Andenken. Albert Einstein. 8. I. 34".

Even though they had admired each other for some time, it took years for Einstein and Godowsky to finally meet in 1933. It started in 1922 as they were both traveling in the Asia, one lecturing, the other performing. They always just missed each other by a couple of days. Einstein was traveling two days behind him on the same route. Godowsky knew that the scientist loved music and liked to play himself, so Godowsky arranged that his pianos in each city would be placed in Einstein's room ready for him when he arrived. They eventually met in person in the autumn of 1933, at Princeton University.
In an interview given in 1934 after a concert at the Steinway Hall building in honor of Albert Einstein, Godowski explained: "I asked him to explain the relativity theory to me. He said he could not explain it. We tried to talk of music. Finally we compromised. We talked of economics. He has very decided views on economics and what ought to be done. I could not agree with him on all points."
The concert took place just a few months after Einstein offered his portrait to the pianist.