James Van Der Zee (June 29th 1886 - May 15th 1983) was a photographer Afro-American known for his black portraits of New Yorkean. He was one of the figures of the cultural movement of the Renaissance of Harlem. Beyond the artistic value of his works, James Van Der Zee left testimonys on the life in New York in first half of the XXe century. He photographed the largest intellectuals and black artists of his time, such as Marcus Garvey, Bill Robinson and Countee Cullen.

Biography

Van Der Zee was born in Lenox, in the American state of the Massachusetts. He discovered photography at the 14 years age. He settled in the district of Harlem, where he started by playing of the music. In 1932, it opened a studio of photography ( GGG Studio , with the corner of Lenox Avenue and 129e street, in Harlem). In 1969, the MET organizes an exposure of its stereotypes called Harlem one my Mind .

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