Having opened his first studio in 1917, James VanDerZee documented Harlem’s artistic and cultural renaissance, photographing landmarks, parades, funerals, social clubs, political and religious organizations, affluent families, and celebrities.

The photographer’s work gained widespread attention in 1969, when it was shown in the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition Harlem on My Mind. The portfolio of VanDerZee prints in Sheldon’s collection includes a range of iconic images from studio portraits to documentary photography of activist Marcus Garvey.

The Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation Exhibitions and Programs Fund provided support for this exhibition.