James Van der Zee
JAMES VAN DER ZEE
(American, 1886–1983)
A Fun-Loving Group, 1927
Sepia-toned vintage print, Signed, annotated and dated in the negative. Additionally, stamped twice with the photographer's studio stamp of the period on verso.
1 of a small number of prints
8 by 10 in. (20.32 by 25.4 cm)
Provenance:
Private Collection, NY (acquired directly from the photographer)
James Van der Zee began his photographic career in a portrait studio in Newark, N.J., starting as a darkroom assistant and then as a portraitist. In 1916 he opened his own studio in Harlem, which quickly grew in popularity, and he soon was artfully documenting the life and times of what became known as the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s and 1930’s .
He continued his activities as a studio photographer until quite late in his life, Van Der Zee was considered the premier studio photographer of Harlem, servicing all aspects of the evolving black middle class as well as the elite: weddings and other significant social occasions, community get-togethers, formal and informal portraits, He would sometimes add props and backdrops to create more dramatic tableaux. He was highly respected for his ability to elucidate the spirit and inner personalities of his sitters, and will always be remembered accordingly.