Carl Van Vechten
(1880-1964), Critic, novelist and photographerArtist of 22 portraits
An American essayist and novelist of Peter Whiffle: His Life and Works (1922) and the controversial Nigger Heaven (1926), Van Vechten only took up photography in 1932, aged 51, aiming to portray all the leading creative talent of his era. He worked in a makeshift studio apartment with a Leica, using painted backdrops inspired by Matisse and took over 15,000 photographs between 1932 and 1964. A champion of African American culture and promoter of key players in the Harlem Renaissance, Van Vechten created an important visual record of the major cultural figures of his time.
by Carl Van Vechten
vintage gelatin silver print, 27 May 1934
NPG P1125
Dame Rebecca West (Cicily Isabel Andrews (née Fairfield))
by Carl Van Vechten
vintage gelatin silver print, 28 May 1934
NPG P1127
by Carl Van Vechten
vintage gelatin silver print, 17 June 1939
NPG P1126
by Carl Van Vechten
cream-toned bromide print, 14 January 1933
NPG x131693
by Carl Van Vechten
cream-toned bromide print, 14 January 1933
NPG x131694
by Carl Van Vechten
cream-toned bromide print, 14 January 1933
NPG x131695
by Carl Van Vechten
cream-toned bromide print, 26 May 1934
NPG x135982
by Carl Van Vechten
gelatin silver print, 12 May 1937
NPG x198242
by Carl Van Vechten
vintage bromide print, late 1930s
NPG x40474
by Carl Van Vechten
vintage bromide print, late 1930s
NPG x40473
by Carl Van Vechten
bromide print, 21 April 1938
NPG x199377
by Carl Van Vechten
bromide print, 21 April 1938
NPG x199378
by Carl Van Vechten
bromide print, 21 April 1938
NPG x199379
by Carl Van Vechten
bromide print, 21 April 1938
NPG x199380
by Carl Van Vechten
bromide press print, circa 1940
NPG x194432
by Carl Van Vechten
gelatin silver print, circa 1940
NPG x194433
by Carl Van Vechten
gelatin silver print, 1940s
NPG x194438
by Carl Van Vechten
gelatin silver print, 22 October 1946
NPG x194439
by Carl Van Vechten
chlorobromide print, 7 December 1951
NPG x131783
by Carl Van Vechten
bromide press print, 20 April 1954
NPG x194361
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