Dr. Michael I. Jacobs Dermatology

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Dr. Michael I. Jacobs Dermatology Dr. Michael I. Jacobs Dermatology is a Manhattan-based dermatology clinic located on the Upper East

What does Dr. Jacobs’s dermatology office in Manhattan have to do with the Musée Matisse in France? Quite a lot, as it t...
09/03/2026

What does Dr. Jacobs’s dermatology office in Manhattan have to do with the Musée Matisse in France? Quite a lot, as it turns out.

The story began in 1992, when The Museum of Modern Art in New York mounted its landmark exhibition, Henri Matisse: A Retrospective. Dr. Jacobs—being a true Capricorn—decided he would “compete” with MoMA by creating his own small Matisse exhibition in the waiting room of his dermatology office.

Dr. Jacobs knew that his photography teacher, legendary LIFE magazine photographer Dimitri Kessel, had been a friend of Matisse and had photographed him extensively. Dr. Jacobs asked Kessel for special permission to make new photographic prints directly from his original, unpublished LIFE magazine negatives. Several of those photographs have already appeared on our Instagram.

Later in 1992, Dr. Jacobs brought several sets of the newly printed photographs to Paris for Kessel to sign. When Kessel saw them, he immediately called Lydia Delectorskaya, Matisse’s longtime model, assistant, and studio manager. Lydia was so taken with the photographs that she wanted a set herself and requested another for the permanent collection of the Musée Matisse in Le Cateau-Cambrésis.

One photograph in particular became important: an intimate image of Matisse sitting in bed while working on a small sculpture.

Using the photograph as her guide, Lydia located the original sculpture pictured in Matisse’s hands, along with several related small sculptures. Those works were brought together for an exhibition at the Musée Matisse in February 1993, curated by the museum’s chief curator, Dominique Szymusiak.

What began as Dr. Jacobs’s playful idea for a small Matisse photography exhibition in the waiting room of his Manhattan dermatology office had unexpectedly helped lead to a sculpture exhibition at the Musée Matisse in France, attended by government officials, museum patrons, members of the Matisse family, and admirers of his work.

Dr. Jacobs remains extremely proud of this extraordinary chain of events.

Henri Matisse sculpting in bed, Nov. 1951.

Cover of exhibition catalogue at Musée Matisse, Feb. 1993.

Thank you to Dimitri Kessel and Dr. Jacobs, as printed i

What does art photography have to do with cosmetic dermatology? More than you might think.Continuing our look at Paris, ...
09/02/2026

What does art photography have to do with cosmetic dermatology? More than you might think.

Continuing our look at Paris, 1989, this photograph captures the difference between a simple snapshot and a deliberate work of art: patience, composition, and spatial precision.

Long before pressing the shutter, Dr. Jacobs sees the final printed photograph in his mind. For this image, he waited ten minutes for a single pigeon to move into exactly the right place, knowing how it needed to align with the figure in the background to complete the composition he had envisioned.

Swipe to see what happens when both are edited out. Without that carefully considered spatial relationship, the photograph loses much of its balance and impact.

That same foresight guides Dr. Jacobs’ approach to aesthetic dermatology.

Before ever touching a syringe or laser, he visualizes the end result—considering how one subtle adjustment can influence the balance and harmony of the entire face.

Exceptional cosmetic dermatology isn’t about treating every small wrinkle or adding unnecessary volume. It’s about having the restraint, precision, and artistic eye to recognize the smallest change that can elevate the whole portrait while still looking completely natural.

The next time you look in the mirror, ask yourself: Where is your eye naturally drawn?

True facial harmony rarely comes from changing everything. It comes from recognizing the subtle adjustments that allow your best features to stand out.

Share this with someone who appreciates the artistry behind natural aesthetics.



Photo edited with Photoshop to remove the bird and people.

By popular demand: another frame from the Central Park whiteout. ❄️When snow blankets the city, Central Park transforms ...
09/01/2026

By popular demand: another frame from the Central Park whiteout. ❄️

When snow blankets the city, Central Park transforms into a minimalist study in black and white. The sweep of the snow fence, the heavy silence, and a single figure under an umbrella—it remains one of my favorite studies in composition and quiet contrast.

Thank you to everyone who reached out after the last post asking to see more from this series.

📍 Central Park, New York City

If you’re new here via the photography series, welcome. Beyond the lens and collection, my primary focus is dermatology. Tap the link in my bio to save our location and contact information!

Miles Davis and Dr. Jacobs shared a passion for beauty, design, Ferraris, art—and having fun.In honor of the centennial ...
08/31/2026

Miles Davis and Dr. Jacobs shared a passion for beauty, design, Ferraris, art—and having fun.

In honor of the centennial of Miles Davis’s birth, Dr. Jacobs wanted to celebrate the life of an extraordinary artist who was also his patient for six years.

Dr. Jacobs regularly saw Miles in the office, but their relationship extended beyond dermatology. When Miles was hospitalized, Dr. Jacobs would visit, sit with him, watch television, and try to lift his spirits. Miles’s sharp sense of humor was always present—he could find something on the screen to poke fun at and make them both laugh.

Their shared love of art and design was another connection. Miles was not only one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, but also a gifted painter. He was equally passionate about Ferraris, owning five during his lifetime. Two of his best-known cars were a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, chassis 5245 GT, and a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, chassis 10669—both purchased from Luigi Chinetti Motors.

As we mentioned in our recent post about 1930s Grand Prix champion René Dreyfus, Luigi Chinetti had deep roots in European motor racing before becoming Ferrari’s exclusive importer for much of the eastern United States after World War II, thanks to his longstanding relationship with Enzo Ferrari.

Years later, in 2019, Dr. Jacobs visited Hauser & Wirth in Los Angeles for an exhibition by legendary artist David Hammons. At the center of the show was a remarkable group of original paintings and drawings by Miles Davis from Hammons’s personal collection. To Dr. Jacobs’s eye, Miles’s references to Basquiat and Kandinsky—and their interpretations of music on canvas—were brilliant.

It was a rare privilege and honor for Dr. Jacobs to have Miles Davis walk into his office—and to become his dermatologist, friend, and fellow admirer of art, beauty, and Ferrari design.



Same spec, legendary taste. A 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (identical model to the one he drove).

Dr. Jacobs with one of the definitive books on Miles Davis’s paintings.

In 1995, Dr. Jacobs began a special tradition with his office staff: traveling together to museums around the world to e...
08/28/2026

In 1995, Dr. Jacobs began a special tradition with his office staff: traveling together to museums around the world to experience art, architecture, design, and culture firsthand.

The very first trip was to Paris, where Dr. Jacobs had fun sharing his knowledge of art history with the team as they explored the Louvre, Musée du Jeu de Paume, Musée d’Orsay, and Musée Rodin, along with the beautiful architecture, gardens, and parks throughout the city.

The trip was such a memorable experience for everyone that Dr. Jacobs decided to make these cultural adventures a recurring office tradition for years to come. We look forward to sharing more photos and memories from many of these trips in future posts.

to Labor Day Weekend, 1985, at the BMW Vintage Fall Festival at Lime Rock Park.Dr. Jacobs would pick up his close frie...
08/27/2026

to Labor Day Weekend, 1985, at the BMW Vintage Fall Festival at Lime Rock Park.

Dr. Jacobs would pick up his close friend René Dreyfus and be the lead car in a caravan of patients and friends up to Lime Rock for a memorable weekend of vintage racing.

Together with Skip Barber, Dr. Jacobs helped make René Dreyfus Grand Marshal of the vintage races for many years—an especially fitting honor for one of the great Grand Prix drivers of his era.

The weekend was always a highlight, with VIP access to the pits, the chance to see remarkable historic race cars up close, meet the drivers, and enjoy the excitement of the track alongside René. Some of Dr. Jacobs’ lucky guests were even able to ride in the pace car to start each race—an unforgettable way to experience the action firsthand.



René Dreyfus with the official BMW pace car at Lime Rock Park during the 1985 Vintage Fall Festival.

The start of a vintage race at Lime Rock Park—a remarkable lineup of historic racing cars taking to the track.

Skip Barber with René Dreyfus at Lime Rock Park during the 1985 BMW Vintage Fall Festival.

A remarkable gathering of motorsport legends. From left to right: René Dreyfus; John Fitch, legendary American racing driver; Chris Economaki of ABC Sports; and Brock Yates of Car and Driver magazine.

The best time to take photographs is often just after the worst weather.As a driving blizzard was finally beginning to l...
08/26/2026

The best time to take photographs is often just after the worst weather.

As a driving blizzard was finally beginning to let up, Dr. Jacobs grabbed his camera and headed straight to Central Park. The fresh snow transformed the park into a study of light, shadow, architecture, and silhouettes, creating the dramatic black-and-white scenes in these photographs.

Some of the most memorable photographs are also the ones you never plan. The man beneath the umbrella happened to be in Central Park for a fashion shoot that same day. He already had a photographer there—but Dr. Jacobs still thinks he got the better shot.

A reminder that sometimes the most interesting photographs appear simply by being in the right place, with a camera in hand, at exactly the right moment.

What does Formula 1 have to do with dermatology?As a teenager, Dr. Jacobs was invited several times to dine at Le Chante...
08/24/2026

What does Formula 1 have to do with dermatology?

As a teenager, Dr. Jacobs was invited several times to dine at Le Chanteclair, a wonderful French restaurant at 18 East 49th Street in Manhattan. The restaurant was owned by legendary French Grand Prix driver René Dreyfus and his brother, Maurice.

Years later, in 1981, René unexpectedly walked into Dr. Jacobs’ office for a skin check. During the examination, Dr. Jacobs discovered an early melanoma, which was successfully treated with removal.

From that moment on, René and Dr. Jacobs became inseparable, forming a close friendship that Dr. Jacobs describes as being like father and son.

René was one of the most renowned Grand Prix drivers of his era and is remembered as one of the great figures in the history of motor racing. His extraordinary career included winning the second running of the Monaco Grand Prix in 1930 while driving a Bugatti Type 35B—a glimpse of just how remarkable a driver he truly was.

René lived an extraordinary life, and we look forward to sharing more of his stories, photographs, and memories here on our Instagram.

For René Dreyfus’ 80th birthday, Dr. Jacobs brought together some of René’s closest friends and fellow racing enthusiast...
08/24/2026

For René Dreyfus’ 80th birthday, Dr. Jacobs brought together some of René’s closest friends and fellow racing enthusiasts, including Walter Cronkite and John Weitz.

Before becoming one of America’s most recognizable broadcasters, Walter Cronkite raced numerous times at Sebring, Lime Rock, and Watkins Glen. CBS eventually encouraged him to trade auto racing for competitive sailing, which they considered a safer sport. John Weitz was also an accomplished amateur racer who competed at many of the same legendary tracks. Over the years, Dr. Jacobs became close friends with both men.

Dr. Jacobs also had several patients who were officials of the Vintage Sports Car Club of America. Together, they arranged for René to serve as Grand Marshal of the annual BMW-sponsored vintage racing event at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

Each year, Dr. Jacobs would drive René to the track, with a caravan of patients and friends following behind—a fitting celebration for one of motor racing’s great figures and a wonderful tradition they shared.



After winning the 1930 Monaco Grand Prix in Bugatti No. 22 (pictured first), René Dreyfus signed with the Maserati brothers and joined the Maserati factory team. The following year, he returned to Monaco for the 1931 Grand Prix, racing a Maserati Tipo 26M, No. 50 (pictured in photos 2 and 3).

See previous.

Dr. Jacobs with Walter Cronkite in March, 2006.

Dr. Jacobs photo of Rene at Lime Rock Racetrack with John Weitz standing behind Rene.

Grand Marshall Rene Dreyfus and Dr. Jacobs at Lime Rock Racetrack BMW vintage festival in 1984.

For René Dreyfus’ 80th birthday, Dr. Jacobs brought together some of René’s closest friends and fellow racing enthusiast...
08/22/2026

For René Dreyfus’ 80th birthday, Dr. Jacobs brought together some of René’s closest friends and fellow racing enthusiasts, including Walter Cronkite and John Weitz.

Before becoming one of America’s most recognizable broadcasters, Walter Cronkite raced numerous times at Sebring, Lime Rock, and Watkins Glen. CBS eventually encouraged him to trade auto racing for competitive sailing, which they considered a safer sport. John Weitz was also an accomplished amateur racer who competed at many of the same legendary tracks. Over the years, Dr. Jacobs became close friends with both men.

Dr. Jacobs also had several patients who were officials of the Vintage Sports Car Club of America. Together, they arranged for René to serve as Grand Marshal of the annual BMW-sponsored vintage racing event at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

Each year, Dr. Jacobs would drive René to the track, with a caravan of patients and friends following behind—a fitting celebration for one of motor racing’s great figures and a wonderful tradition they shared.



After winning the 1930 Monaco Grand Prix in Bugatti No. 22 (pictured first), René Dreyfus signed with the Maserati brothers and joined the Maserati factory team. The following year, he returned to Monaco for the 1931 Grand Prix, racing a Maserati Tipo 26M, No. 50 (pictured in photos 2 and 3).

See previous.

Dr. Jacobs with Walter Cronkite in March, 2006.

Dr. Jacobs photo of Rene at Lime Rock Racetrack with John Weitz standing behind Rene.

Grand Marshall Rene Dreyfus and Dr. Jacobs at Lime Rock racetrack BMW vintage festival in 1984.

Address

407 East 70th Street
New York, NY
10021

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

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