Uncommon Images: James Van Der Zee: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A documentary film with the title Uncommon Images: James Van Der Zee. It consists of a single reel of color 16mm acetate film with an optical sound track.

Directed and produced by Evelyn Barron for New York’s WNBC-TV, this is a twenty-minute documentary primarily narrated by Van Der Zee himself. Ninety years old at the time of production, he recalls his early interest in photography and music, and the development of his photographic practices overtime. Van Der Zee emphasizes the impact of his second wife, Gaynella Greenlee, as an instrumental influence in the success of his Harlem-based studio throughout the twenties and thirties, the peak of the Harlem Renaissance. The film utilizes Van Der Zee’s extensive photography portfolio to compliment the narration.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1977
• Directed by: Evelyn Barron, American
• Subject of: James Van Der Zee, American, 1886 - 1983
• Published by: Filmakers Library Inc., American, 1969 - 2011
• Owned by: D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
• Type: documentary television programs
• Type: sound films
• Type: color films (visual works)
• Type: short subjects
• Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
• Medium: acetate film
• Dimensions: Duration: 20 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 700 Feet
• Place used: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
• Place filmed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Documentary films
• Topic: Film
• Topic: Men
• Topic: Photography
• Object number: 2017.55.20.1a
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Transferred from the DC Public Library
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.