Provenance

Ms. Florence Lunn

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This is a black-and-white photograph of four men standing in a row facing the camera. The men are dressed in formal attire, with varying styles of suits and ties and shiny black shoes. Three of them wear bow ties and suit jackets over white shirts, while one man to the right of center wears a jacket and a waistcoat with a tie over a white shirt. A watch chain is also visible in the pocket of his waistcoat. This man appears older than the other three men; he has gray hair and a long gray mustache, while the other three men have short dark hair and clean faces. They all have dark skin. They are standing on a pathway with fallen leaves around them, in front of a building with large windows and white columns. Trees and foliage are visible in the background on the right.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, The Van Der Zee Men, Lenox, Massachusetts, 1908, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.3

The Van Der Zee Men, Lenox, Massachusetts

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1908, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.3

The image shows three adults, all seated and visible from the waist up. Positioned in the center is a woman with short, curly gray hair and glasses, wearing a dark dress with a pearl necklace. On her left sits an older man with short, neatly trimmed gray hair and a mustache, wearing glasses, a light-colored suit, a vest, a patterned tie, and a pocket square. On her right sits a man with closely cropped hair and glasses, dressed in a dark suit and vest with a striped tie, holding a cane in his right hand. The three individuals are seated behind a small table upon which some books are placed. The background is set against a studio backdrop depicting draped curtains and a large window.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Portrait of Two Brothers and Their Sister, 1931, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.15

Portrait of Two Brothers and Their Sister

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1931, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.15

This is a photograph of a room with a white piano, paintings, and lavish furnishings. The piano has intricate carvings and bears the inscription "Steinway & Sons, Hamburg - New York, Fabrik...". A plush bench with a floral cover is next to the piano. A large framed painting is on the left wall, and a decorative lamp sits on a table nearby. Rich velvet curtains hang between doorways, leading to a seating area with cushioned chairs and mirrored furniture. The walls have framed artwork, and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling, illuminating the room.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, The Heiress, Harlem, 1938, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.17

The Heiress, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1938, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.17

This black-and-white photograph shows a couple in a seated position. The man is seated slightly behind the woman, and he wears a dark suit with a white shirt and a bow tie and holds a top hat. He is looking downwards. The woman looks out at us, wearing a white bridal gown with lace details, gloves, and a decorative veil over her hair. She holds a bouquet of flowers and sits on an ornately carved chair. The two of them sit slightly to the right of center, with their bodies facing the left. They are surrounded by an elaborately painted backdrop, featuring stone buildings, columns, and painted greenery. There is a plush white rug on the ground. In the bottom left corner is the transparent image of a young girl in a white dress and with a white bow in her dark hair, holding a doll.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Wedding Day, Harlem, 1926, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.12

Wedding Day, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1926, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.12

This long, horizontal, black-and-white photograph shows a group of Black children standing and sitting close together. Many look towards us, but some look at each other. The children vary in their poses, expressions, hairstyles, and clothing. Some wear caps on their heads. Some children are standing with arms by their sides, while others are sitting cross-legged. At the center of the image, one tall child stands up, their hands on their hips, looking to the right. On the right side, there appears to be an adult standing behind the long group of children. The background is a solid brick wall, and the gray floor is reflective.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Swimming Team, Harlem, 1925, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.11

Swimming Team, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1925, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.11

This is a black-and-white photograph of a classroom with students seated in ornate wooden desks. The room is lit with natural light coming in from large windows at the top. The walls are wooden and decorated with papers and photographs, including a framed portrait on the right. There are rows of desks with detailed metalwork on the side panels, and while some of the desks closest to us are empty, there are several rows of students in the center of the photograph. The students are mostly facing the left, but some turn their heads to look at us. Many of them hold books. They are dressed formally, and most appear to have dark skin, although one or two seem to have lighter skin. In the back a woman with dark skin stands behind the desks, her arms behind her back, wearing a white dress.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Whittier Preparatory School, Phoebus, Virginia, 1907, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.2

Whittier Preparatory School, Phoebus, Virginia

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1907, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.2

The image shows a person standing on a stage or a decorated area. The person is positioned with arms raised and has facial hair. They are wearing a traditional headpiece that partially covers the hair, leaving only the face visible, and a striped garment beneath a long dark robe or cloak. The setting is elaborately decorated with potted plants and various decorative elements. The stage is patterned with intricate tiles, and overhead lighting and a chandelier are visible.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Daddy Grace, Harlem, 1938, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.18

Daddy Grace, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1938, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.18

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Marcus Garvey and Garvey Militia, Harlem, 1924, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.7

Marcus Garvey and Garvey Militia, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1924, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.7

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Garveyite Family, Harlem, 1924, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.8

Garveyite Family, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1924, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.8

This sepia-toned photograph shows a person standing with one hand on their hip and the other slightly outstretched. They are wearing an elaborate costume that consists of a shimmering, sequined top, and a long, flowing skirt adorned with multiple strands of chains. A draped cape extends from their shoulders down their back. They look towards us with a soft smile. Their hair is covered by a decorated headdress, which is crowned with a large array of ostrich feathers arching outward. Hanging from the headdress down towards their chest are strings of pearls or beads. The background is slightly textured, with faint paneling visible. At their feet appears to be a patterned quilt.
James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson, Dancer, Harlem, 1925, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, 2021.22.1.9

Dancer, Harlem

James Van Der Zee, Richard Benson · 1925, printed 1974 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2021.22.1.9