James Van Der Zee was known as the preeminent photographer of Harlem, a neighborhood often referred to as the “Black mecca.” He captured its essence through depictions of people and places. And in 1916, he established Guarantee Photo Studio on 125th Street.

In the 1920s and ’30s, Van Der Zee portrayed the vibrant spirit of the “New Negro.” This movement was characterized by the cultural resurgence of Black art, writing, and music. Van Der Zee photographed both ordinary citizens and socialites, looking past class divisions and combatting racial stereotypes.

Van Der Zee highlighted the elegance of his sitters using studio backdrops, props, and enhancement techniques such as hand-coloring and retouching. His photography, especially during World War I, earned widespread acclaim. In 1969, his work was rediscovered and included in the exhibition Harlem on My Mind: Cultural Capital of Black America, 1900–1968 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The artist’s extensive catalog captures the essence of Harlem’s cultural wealth.