Harlem Through James Van Der Zee's Lens

James Van Der Zee was a celebrated African American photographer who documented black New York for much of the 20th century.

Van Der Zee was New York's leading black photographer during the Harlem Renaissance.

His images emphasized the dignity, beauty and prosperity of black people at a time when the dominant culture didn't.

From The Washington Post: In photos of ordinary life, James Van Der Zee captured Harlem Renaissance glamour