1954

Self-Portrait with Gaynella

American, 1886 - 1983

In 1916 James VanDerZee opened the Guarantee Photo Studio in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, and it went on to become the “go-to” portrait studio for many Harlem residents. VanDerZee’s pictures both in out and his studio captured the stories of the changing neighborhood, the joys of family, and the emotions and dreams of the people he photographed. This picture was taken in his own home. The photographer stands next to his wife, Gaynella, who holds one of her deeply loved cats. Around them are walls almost entirely covered with artwork—mostly photographs by VanDerZee himself—and objects that tell us about the comforts of home as well as the success of the couple’s photography business.