Vanderzee (Paperback)

by Deborah Willis-Braithwaite (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
VanDerZee was the first 20th-century African American photographer to achieve commercial success and fame. Between the wars, he ran a photography studio in Harlem, where he documented the famous and the everyday of the Harlem Renaissance more thoroughly than any other photographer. Thanks to the inclusion of some of his images in the 1969 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition "Harlem on My Mind," he was rediscovered at age 83, living in poverty in Harlem. Before he died, he again took up the camera to photograph many prominent African Americans, including Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, and Bill Cosby. Published on the occasion of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, this first major survey of his work in 20 years presents a full retrospective in high-quality reproductions. Willis-Braithwaite ( Black Photographers, 1840-1988 , 1985) and Birt (humanities, San Francisco State Univ.) provide excellent essays tracing VanDerZee's life and work, while detailed captions accompany the photos. Highly recommended for photography and African American studies collections.
- Kathleen Collins, New York Transit Museum Archives, Brooklyn
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
One of the great American photographers of the 20th century and the leading African-American photographer of his day, James VanDerZee is best remembered as the eyes of the Harlem Renaissance. Reproduced here are many of the thousands of photographs he took in New York's Harlem between the wars. 200 photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810927829
• ISBN-13: 978-0810927827
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #367,897 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vanderzee: When Photography Becomes More Than Documentation, May 2, 2001

By	J. Koskinen (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When watching Ken Burn's "Jazz" on television, look for Vanderzee's contribution; when viewing Ken Burns' "Baseball" on video, look for Vanderzee's contribution; when you see images of African-Americans sitting in parlors, going to church in their Sunday finest, or heading off to war, their hearts full of patriotism even in the midst of racial separatism, look for Vanderzee's contribution - he was there. Our history is so much more than what we have seen on television and read in the newspapers; we are so much more than the victimized remains of a harsh and unjustice past; we have survived and found dignity in the most bizarre places, and Vanderzee and other photographers like him went to these places and perserved a dignity that is only now being revealed. Thank you Ms. Willis.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an exceptional representation of VanDerZee work ..., September 30, 1999

By A Customer

This book is exceptional treatment of VanDerZee's photography and the role he played in the development of twentieth century photography. His use of the discipline to represent African American role in 20th century American history and photography. Most cities had at least one serious African American photographer who helped document black life in that city. His use of photography as survival tool and the expression of life in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance.

VanDerZee's work survived the most incredible changes in the field of photography i.e. from flash powder to the electronic flash. In VanDerZee's work you can find portraits of great historical African Americans such as Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Dubois, Romare Bearden, Muhammed Ali, Bill Cosby and many hard working African Americans.VanDerZee photographed for eighty plus years. This book should be read and study by all beginning photographers so that the must understand what one must do to survive in the discipline.