James Van Der Zee rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance. His portraits celebrate Black culture, showing his clients as they wanted to be seen. As a popular commercial photographer, Van Der Zee captured a wide range of Harlem residents, depicting families, schoolchildren, weddings, social events, parades, and other large gatherings in a distinguished and distinctive style. James Van Der Zee photographed this group of members of a social club in 1939, softly masking the background to accentuate their tuxedos and top hats. . . . 🏷 #GettyMuseum #BlackHistoryMonth #AfricanAmericanHistoryMonth #BlackCulture #GarlemRenaissance #Photography #Analogue Image: The Little Wonder Social Club, Harlem, 1939, James Van Der Zee. Getty Museum. © Donna Mussenden Van Der Zee