Van Vechten Collection

BILLIE HOLIDAY (1915-1959). American jazz singer, holding an African sculpture. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1949

ELLA FITZGERALD (1917-1996). American singer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1940

KIM STANLEY (1925-2001). American actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1961

MELISSA HAYDEN (1923-2006). Canadian ballerina. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1956

JUDITH ANDERSON (1898-1992). Australian-American actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1939

THOMAS C. WOLFE (1900-1938). American novelist. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937

THOMAS WOLFE (1900-1938). American novelist. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937

MARTHA FLOWERS (c1920- ). American opera singer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1953

BLANCHE DUNN, 1941. Caribbean-born American socialite. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941

JULIE HARRIS (1925- ). American actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1952

LAVALLADE & HOLDER, 1955. American dancers Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1955

PHILIP JOHNSON (1906-2005). American architect and historian. Photographed by Carl van Vechten, 1963

ANNA MAY WONG (1907-1961). Chinese American actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1940

MARC CHAGALL (1887-1985). French (Russian-born) painter. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941

ROSE McCLENDON (1884-1936). Nee Rose Virginia Scott McClendon. American Broadway actress
ROSE McCLENDON (1884-1936). Ne Rose Virginia Scott McClendon. American Broadway actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, in the role of Medea, 1935

ELDZIER CORTOR (1916- ). American sculptor and painter. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1959

CHARLES LAUGHTON (1899-1962). American (English-born) actor. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1940

LEONOR FINI (1907-1996). Argentine painter and stage designer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1936

JEAN MARAIS (1913-1998). French actor and director. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1949

JUDITH ANDERSON (1898-1992). American actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten in the role of Medea, 1951

GIUSEPPE ORIOLI (1884-1942). Italian bookseller, editor and publisher. Photographed in Florence by Carl Van Vechten, 1935

MARSDEN HARTLEY (1877-1943). American painter. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1939

BEAUFORD DELANEY (1901-1979). American painter. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1953

MARIE LAURENCIN (1885-1956). French painter. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1949

ALEXANDRA DANILOVA (1904-1997). Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1948

LAURETTE TAYLOR (1884-1946). American actress. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1933

GRACE MOORE (1901-1947). American singer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1933

JANE BOWLES (1917-1973). American writer and playwright. Double exposure portrait by Carl Van Vechten, 1951

ANTON DOLIN (1904-1983). British dancer, choreographer and director. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1940

VALENTINE DUDENSING (1901-). American art dealer and gallery owner. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937

MAHALIA JACKSON (1911-1972). American gospel singer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1962

GRAHAM AND ROSS, 1961. American dancers Martha Graham and Bertram Ross. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1961

PETER ABRAHAMS (1919- ). South African writer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1955

ALVIN AILEY (1931-1989). American choreographer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1955

AL BLEDGER, 1938. American dancer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1938

PORTRAIT, 1951. Portrait of Ramon Blancos in Havana, Cuba. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1951

BILL ROBINSON (1878-1949). Bill Bojangles Robinson. American tap dancer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1933

PORTRAIT, 1959. Portrait of Melvin Daniel Simpson, by Carl Van Vechten, 1959

VAN VECHTEN: DANCER, 1934. Portrait of American dancer Roy Atkins, 1934

VAN VECHTEN: PORTRAIT, 1940. Portrait of Allen Juante Meadows, by Carl Van Vechten, 1940

VAN VECHTEN: PORTRAIT, 1942. Portrait of Kenneth McTeer, by Carl Van Vechten, 1942

JACOB LAWRENCE (1917-2000). American painter, illustrator and educator. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941

JOSEPHINE BAKER (1906-1975). American dancer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1951

JANET COLLINS (1917-2003). American ballet dancer and choreographer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1949

HENRI MATISSE (1869-1954). French painter and sculptor. Photograph by Carl Van Vechten, 1933

FRIDA KAHLO (1907-1954). Mexican painter. Frida Kahlo (center), photographed by Carl Van Vechten with her husband Diego Rivera and friend Malu Block, 1932

ALFRED STIEGLITZ (1864-1946). American photographer. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 17 April 1935

RALPH J. BUNCHE (1904-1971). American diplomat. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1951

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Carl Van Vechten, a renowned American photographer, captured the essence of various influential figures through his lens. In 1949, he immortalized Billie Holiday, the iconic jazz singer, as she held an African sculpture. The photograph exudes her passion and soulful spirit. Another masterpiece by Van Vechten showcases Ella Fitzgerald in 1940. This image encapsulates her timeless beauty and extraordinary talent that made her one of America's greatest singers. In 1937, Thomas Wolfe posed for Van Vechten's camera. The photograph captures the intensity and introspection of this acclaimed American novelist. Joe Louis, the legendary heavyweight champion boxer, was photographed by Van Vechten in 1941. The image radiates strength and determination that defined Louis' illustrious career. Martha Flowers, an opera singer from America with a captivating voice, was captured by Van Vechten in 1953. Her elegance and grace are evident in this stunning portrait. Blanche Dunn, a Caribbean-born American socialite from 1941 is another subject of Van Vechten's artistry. Her allure shines through his lens. Julie Harris graced one of his photographs in 1952; an actress known for her versatility on stage and screen. This portrait reflects both vulnerability and resilience within Harris' craft. The dynamic duo Lavallade & Holder were immortalized by Carl van Vechten in their vibrant dance performance captured in 1955 - Carmen de Lavallade & Geoffrey Holder showcased their exceptional talent through movement under his watchful eye. Philip Johnson - an esteemed architect and historian - had his essence preserved forever through Carl van Vechten's photography skills during an undisclosed period capturing Johnson's brilliance behind architecture design Anna May Wong – a Chinese-American actress – found herself before Carl van Vehten’s camera at some point during her life (1907-1961). His photograph portrays Wong's captivating beauty and her significant contribution to the film industry.