James Van Der Zee was a major figure of the Harlem Renaissance cultural movement in the 1920s and 30s. His portraits of creatives, political figures, and the citizens of Harlem changed the way Black Americans had previously been portrayed, showing a vibrant, fashionable community that was an integral part of New York and the American Life. Sharing the dreams and aspirations of his subjects, Van Der Zee documented weddings, funerals, parades, church groups, and the social life of his neighborhood for more than 40 years. He captured the everyday and the exceptional with a sense of refinement, beauty, and elegance.

Billy is typical of work done in his studio, featuring a glamorous woman dressed in a theatrical costume. This is his first work to enter our collection.

Source: DMAC News, May Jun Jul Aug 2022