My earliest memory of a photograph is etched in the cozy ambiance of my grandparent’s study, right at the top of the stairs, above the television. It was James Van Der Zee’s “NY Children-Dance Class,” featuring five young girls striking poses, immortalized in black and white. The image, a window to a different era, sparked a fascination with the power of photography — its unique ability to freeze time and encapsulate history.
Photography, in essence, is historical. It captures moments that once lived, yet through the lens of a camera, these fleeting instances are preserved with an almost mystical permanence. This is the profound allure of photography — its capacity to hold onto moments even as they recede from our present.
Award-winning photographer James Van Der Zee (June 29, 1886- May 15, 1983) understood this power profoundly.
Van Der Zee did more than just capture images; his work gave life and vibrancy to the experiences of African Americans during an era of profound cultural significance.
A celebrated Harlem Renaissance photographer among his people, Van Der Zee chronicled life during the 1920s and 1930s, and beyond. Often, Black New York City residents turned to Van Der Zee, to mark special occasions with his signature style of carefully composed, cosmopolitan photographs, according to the National Gallery of Art.
Each dark room print, a complex chemical composition, emerged as a testament to the richness and depth of Black life during a time when such representations were scarce.
Even after the Harlem Renaissance, Van Der Zee continued telling powerful stories through his photos. In January 1984, at the age of 96, Van Der Zee photographed a then-21-year-old Jean-Michel Basquiat, the celebrated painter, for Interview magazine.
Van Der Zee’s photography went beyond mere documentation. It was a celebration of Black identity, a bold assertion of presence and dignity in a society that often chose to overlook such narratives. His portraits, scenes of everyday life, and cultural depictions became icons of a flourishing culture, allowing present-day African Americans to revel in the splendor and complexity of their history.
The significance of Van Der Zee’s work extends beyond its cultural and historical impact. He was a barrier-breaker, a pioneer who navigated a predominantly white industry with the elegance and determination of his subjects.
His awards and accolades, such as being a lifetime Honorary Fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City or receiving the International Black Photographers Award and the Living Legacy Award in 1979, presented by President Jimmy Carter, show how the photographer was crucial to American photography and storytelling.
After his death in Washington, D.C., in 1983 at Howard University Hospital, Van Der Zee was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum.
However, his awards only tell part of his story. Van Der Zee’s true achievement lies in the legacy he crafted: The visual anthology of an era, his people, and a legacy that cannot be dimmed.
The essence of James Van Der Zee’s work is beautifully encapsulated in that photograph in my grandparent’s study. It’s more than an image; it’s a portal to the past, a celebration of culture, and a bold statement of place. Van Der Zee’s lens did not just capture the light; it illuminated a path for future generations. It inspired future generations to revel in the splendor of the past, while aspiring to achieve more in the future.
In a world where the present is abruptly swept aside by the next pressing matter, Van Der Zee’s photographs remain, timeless and eloquent, a medium to capture the excellence of a moment.
Lovely article. I purchased a few of his prints (a thinking man, boys playing with marbles, couple with raccoon coats and the dancing girls in your article too. I did not know who Van Dee Zee was when I purchased them from Woolworths (Columbus, Ohio) late seventies. Years later, and progressive technology, I was amazed!
Thank you.