James Van Der Zee

Can being a prodigy take a while? Can it take most of a century to become an overnight success? Maybe eight decades is just the right amount of time? For James Van Der Zee, the accomplishment was not in seeking a milestone: it was providing a service for the people in his community. History would eventually be richer for his work.

PLEASE check out his work at any of these institutions!

“James Van Der Zee,” Minneapolis Institute of Art. https://collections.artsmia.org/search/%22James%20VanDerZee%22

“James Van Der Zee,” Smithsonian American Art Museum. https://americanart.si.edu/artist/james-vanderzee-6593

“James Van Der Zee,” Studio Museum in Harlem. https://www.studiomuseum.org/artists/james-van-der-zee

“James Van Der Zee,” Williams College Museum of Art. https://artmuseum.williams.edu/collection/featured-acquisitions/james-van-der-zee/

Music used in this episode:

"Former" by ComaStudio

"One Evening," by Music Stock Production

"Rock and Gravel," by Syd Valentine's Patent Leather Kids

"Hawaiian Blues," by Johnny Dunn's Original Jazz Hounds

"Church Organ," by Chillmore

"Drop Me Off in Harlem," by Adelaide Hall

"In the Dark Flashes," by Jess Stacy

"Jazzy Jazz," by FreeGroove

"Friday Night at the Club (Vintage)," by Ketyri