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Photographs
|
- Sale 1183
Live
| Chicago
May 2 | 11:00 AM EDT
Live
| Chicago
Sale 1183
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$25,000 – $35,000
James Van Der Zee created a rich portrait of African American life in Harlem during the first half of the 20th century. Catering to the growing population of the neighborhood, he used painted backdrops and photographic manipulation to make cosmopolitan portraits in his studio. Van Der Zee also photographed Harlem storefronts and local athletic, spiritual, social, and political groups.
Predominantly neutral toned prints (apart from Nude, Flapper, Black Jews, Harlem, Portrait of Two Brothers and Their Sister, The Heiress, Harlem; and Daddy Grace, Harlem which are warm-toned) on matte paper, trimmed to edges and mounted on board. Plate XIV Atlantic City slightly lifting at left edge from mount - this barely perceptible and borad mount has two very small dark stains - not affecting the image. Plate XVI, Couple Harlem has traces of oxidation in darker areas, visible in a raking light only. A wonderful and very clean set of images, in very good/ excellent condition overall. Box shows typical wear.
3 accompanying photographs - 2 wedding studies from Van Der Zee's studio - thees on glossy, ferrotyped paper with narrow black margins. Both prints have sunstantial wear to edges and corners, with minor surface scuffs etc. to surface of the portrait of the bridal couple. Both in generally good condition.
Third (unattributed) double-portrait of two women on matte, double-weight paper with narrow margins. This shows considerable wear - Crimps, creasing, emulsion losses, small tears (margin), hairline fissures etc. In only moderately good condition overall.
Additional sizing information:
portfolio case: 16 x 13 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches.
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