Carl Van Vechten [Julie Harris]

Carl Van Vechten (June 17, 1880 – December 21, 1964), original silver gelatin print of American stage, screen and television actress Julie Harris here as Sally Bowles in I Am a Camera, the stage version of Christopher Isherwood's Goodbye to Berlin (later adapted as the musical Cabaret on Broadway in 1966 and, in the 1972 film, with Liza Minnelli).

This unsigned, vintage Van Vechten image, features the photographer's original credit stamp on its verso along with the title "Julie Harris in I am a Camera as Sally Bowles" unique roman numeral archive number "XIII JJ 2"  and printing date "May 2 1952" all in the artist's hand. Embossed to the bottom right on the front side is a "Photograph by Carl Van Vechten" original 'blind' stamp. The photograph measuring approximately 6.5 x 9.5 inches, printed on a thick weight matte stock, is in fine condition aside from some minor age wear, soiling and its original slightly irregularly trimmed edges.

Van Vechten, the celebrated American writer and photographer, was the literary executer of Gertrude Stein and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance movement. He captured iconic images of all the key members in the worlds of Art, Theater, Music, and Literature. Van Vechten viewed his photography as a hobby; he never took commissions, he never sold photographs. He would grant permission to publish them, but had strict requirements to do so. He was a prominent fixture in 20th century photography collections with his work being included in such institutions as The Library of Congress, The Museum of The City of New York and The Smithsonian Institution.

Harris (December 2, 1925 – August 24, 2013), won five Tony Awards, three Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award, and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1994, she was awarded the Nation Medal of The Arts. She was a member of the American Theatre Hall of Fame and received the 2002 Special Lifetime Achievement Tony Award.