Capital Grill Restaurant

c. 1940

James Van Der Zee

Associated Names
James Van Der Zee

Artist, American, 1886 - 1983

This is a photograph of the entrance to a restaurant named Capital Grill. The image captures a vintage street-level scene of a restaurant with a large display window and arched doorway leading inside. 

The window is filled with advertisements and signs, such as one promoting "Anheuser Busch on Draught" and another showcasing the "Capital Grill Restaurant" with "Wines & Liquors Served Here." The view through the window reveals the interior's bar display with various bottles and decorations. Above, the signage reads "Hello Bill - Welcome Elks," featuring an emblem of an elk. The entryway, adjacent to the window, exposes a view into the dining area, with tables covered in tablecloths, and chairs stacked neatly against them. The overall setting reflects a classic urban eatery, possibly from the early to mid-20th century, with its nostalgic architectural styling and promotional elements.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Avalon Fund

  • Dimensions

    image: 16.5 × 23.2 cm (6 1/2 × 9 1/8 in.)
    sheet: 20.2 × 25.2 cm (7 15/16 × 9 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2019.127.12

  • Copyright

    © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

James Van Der Zee, New York; Donna Van Der Zee, New York; (Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York); NGA purchase, 2019.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

signed by artist, lower right in negative vertical: VANDERZEE / NYC; on verso, upper center stamped in blue ink inverted: GGG PHOTO STUDIO / 297 LENOX AVE. / NEW YORK 27 N.Y.; by unknown hand, bottom center in graphite: PF22911H


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