Born
June 17, 1880
Died
December 21, 1964
Country
United States of America
The Fire in the Flint—a novel by civil-rights activist Walter White—drew the attention of Carl Van Vechten, a white journalist interested in African American art and life. He began to frequent jazz and blues clubs in Harlem, promote the work of Black artists and performers, and invite Harlem literati to visit his lavish Manhattan apartment.
Though segregationist laws of the time intended to keep Black and white communities separate, Van Vechten hosted parties that had both Black and white people on the guest list. They often featured readings by James Weldon Johnson and Countee Cullen, or performances by Bill Robinson and Paul Robeson.
Van Vechten’s intimate knowledge of Harlem nightlife inspired him to write a controversial novel that blew the lid off the unpleasant side of the Black neighborhood. The novel became a best-seller and won plaudits from Langston Hughes and James Weldon Johnson. Many others, however (W. E. B. Du Bois and Countee Cullen among them) denounced the book as a vulgar, manipulative depiction—not so much a portrayal as a betrayal.
Still, there can be no doubt that Van Vechten promoted race consciousness. He used his influence in the publishing world to help Zora Neale Hurston get her work printed. He hand-delivered Langston Hughes’ first poetry manuscript, The Weary Blues, to the publisher who ultimately decided to print it. He donated money to the black-owned literary magazines Opportunity and Fire!!
From his unique post at the intersection of Harlem and Manhattan, Van Vechten enjoyed privileged access to large and interlocking circles of friends—luminaries such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Langston Hughes, Alfred A. Knopf, Bessie Smith, and Gertrude Stein. Many of these he captured on film: Van Vechten created more than 15,000 photographic images in his lifetime, resulting in a priceless historical archive that also documented his fascination with Black culture. Posing Black subjects before bold backdrops, Van Vechten shot them as he saw them—simultaneously dignified and exotic.
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Van Vechten photographed singer Bessie Smith. |
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He photographed poet Langston Hughes and supported his work. |
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He was friends with actor Paul Robeson. |
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Writer James W. Johnson’s first work was published at Van Vechten’s urging. |
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Countee Cullen often recited poems at his parties. |
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Bill “Bojangles” Robinson tap-danced at his parties. |
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Video
A portrait is an image, usually of a person. A portrait tells the viewer a story about the person in the image by the choices the portrait’s creator makes. In this media activity, we'll explore the impact of those choices, focusing on the subject, setting, and story of your portrait.
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What makes a great portrait in the digital—or any—age? By looking at the works of Richard Avedon and Andy Warhol we learn that it's not enough to create just another pretty face.
Eric Friedman
Director, Digital Learning
Kenny Neal
Manager, Digital Education Resources
Tiffany A. Bryant
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement
JoDee Scissors
Content Specialist, Digital Learning
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