"As an inspiration to the author, I do not think the cat can be overestimated. He suggests so much grace, power, beauty, motion, mysticism. I do not wonder that many writers love cats; I am only surprised that all do not."

~ Carl Van Vechten, born today, 1880.

#CarlVanVechten #Today #Cats #Quote

Celebrating Juneteenth

Photography by Carl Van Vechten in 1950s Harlem:

1) actor James Earl Jones
2) writer James Baldwin
3) Billie Holiday
4) writer WEB DuBois

#carlvanvechten #writer #writers #photographer #zoranealehurston #joycebryant #actor #africanamericanhistory #blackhistory #jamesearljones #singer #jamesbaldwin #author #billieholiday #webdubois #harlem #1950s #1950sharlem #harlemrenaissance #photography #50sstyle #style #juneteenth

Celebrating Juneteenth

Photography by Carl Van Vechten in 1950s Harlem:

1) writer Zora Neal Hurston
2) singer Joyce Bryant
3) actress Carmen De Lavallade
4) painter Ladybird Cleveland

#carlvanvechten #writer #writers #photographer #zoranealehurston #joycebryant #actress #actor #africanamericanhistory #blackhistory #carmendelavallade #ladybirdcleveland #painter #ladybirdstrickland #author #1950sharlem #harlemrenaissance #photography #50sstyle #style #juneteenth

Passing

Just read this 1929 novel by American author Nella Larsen. The story centers on the reunion of two childhood friends + the discovery that one is 'passing' in a mixed race marriage.

Born in Chicago, Larsen was part of the Harlem Renaissance of the 20s + 30s. She wrote 2 novels during this time.

Photographs are by Carl Van Vechten

A film adaption of the novel was made in 2021 by Rebecca Hall.

#passing #nellalarsen #harlem #harlemrenaissance #novel #readinglist #book #books #mybookshelf #reading #livres #buch #bücher #carlvanvechten

Stage Actor Charles Nolte as Billy Budd, 1951

#CarlVanVechten #Photographer

#CharlesNolte (1923– 2010) was a Minnesota born #actor, director, playwright, + educator. He made his #Broadway debut in a production of Antony and Cleopatra, but it was the 1951 Broadway production of #BillyBudd playing the title role that brought him his greatest fame. He went on to appear in several hollywood films, but ended his career teaching at the #UniversityofMinnesota

#stageactor #portraitphotography

Portraits by Italian born artist Luigi Lucioni (1900-1988)

The artist was part of a New York art scene that included Paul Cadmus, Jared French and photographer Carl Van Vechten

1) Portrait Study, 1933
2) William Whitehead, 1937
3) Self Portrait, 1933
4) Portrait of the Artist by Carl Van Vechten

#luigilucioni #williamwhitehead #selfportrait #carlvanvechten #art #artists #artworld #newyorkartists #portriats #oilpainting #painter #painters #newyorkartscene #portraitartist #huile #oleo #öl #oil

Portraits by Italian born artist Luigi Lucioni (1900-1988)

The artist was part of a New York art scene that included Paul Cadmus, Jared French and photographer Carl Van Vechten

1) Artist Jared French, 1930
2) Artist Paul Cadmus, 1928
3) Portrait of Bob, 1936

#luigilucioni #jaredfrench #paulcadmus #portraitofbob #selfportrait #carlvanvechten #art #artists #artworld #newyorkartists #portriats #oilpainting #painter #painters #newyorkartscene #portraitartist #huile #oleo #öl #oil

Photos taken by writer, photographer Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964) in 1950s Harlem:

Actor James Earl Jones, writer James Baldwin, Billie Holiday

#carlvanvechten #writer #photography #photographer #actor #africanamericanhistory #blackhistory #writers #jamesearljones #singer #jamesbaldwin #author #billieholiday #harlem #1950s #1950sharlem #oldharlem #harlemphotographs #50sstyle #style #rememberlegends