Laura G, Sassy 70’sPhotograph by African-American photographer James Van Der Zee (1886–1983), “Couple, Harlem,” 1932, gelatin silver print. As a photo it appears in collections both public & private. #vintagephotography #BlackHistory #blackphotographer #PhotographyHistory
From Charles Hagen, The New York Times, April 15, 1994: “VanDerZee, who died in 1983 at the age of 96, was the leading photographer in Harlem during its heyday, from World War I until the 1940's.
Through the doors of VanDerZee's studio, situated first on West 135th Street and later on upper Seventh Avenue, passed a cross-section of Harlem society. His sitters included such celebrities as the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and the dancer Bill (Bojangles) Robinson as well as a host of ordinary working men and women.”
And from Gene Thornton, The New York Times, Feb. 26, 1984: ‘James Van Der Zee had two careers in photography. The first was as a neighborhood photographer in Harlem during the 1920's and 30's. The second, as a national photographic celebrity, lasted from 1969, when his work of the 20's and 30's was prominently featured in the exhibition ''Harlem on My Mind'' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, until his death in 1983 at the age of 96.’
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