Literary Hub » “How Living Are His Portraits of the Dead.” Toni Morrison on the Photography of James Van Der Zee

“The narrative quality, the intimacy, the humanity of his photographs are stunning.”

Below is Toni Morrison’s introduction to The Harlem Book of the Dead by James Van Der Zee, Owen Dodson, and Camille Billops

It is trendy as of late to listen to amongst pictures lovers the cry, “Oh, those early photographers really knew how to take pictures.” Part of the passion is just not crucial analysis however easy nostalgia: a love affair with the previous made extra loving as a result of the beloved is not with us and capable of assert itself. Part of it’s easy weariness—weariness of latest photojournalism that comes pouring into our dwelling rooms by way of newspapers, magazines, tv and movie documentaries.

When we have a look at the work of James Van Der Zee, nonetheless, the assertion is neither sentimental nor reactionary. His pictures is really uncommon—sui generis. What is so clear in his photos and so marked in his phrases is the fervour and the imaginative and prescient, not of the digital camera however of the photographer. The narrative high quality, the intimacy, the humanity of his images are gorgeous, and the proof, if any is required, is on this assortment of images devoted completely to the useless about which one can solely say, “How living are his portraits of the dead.” So dwelling, so “undead,” that the distinguished author, Owen Dodson, is stirred to poetry during which life trembles in each metaphor.

That this exceptional live performance of Black topic, Black poet, Black photographer and Black artist focuses on the useless is critical for it’s true what Africans say: “The Ancestor lives as long as there are those who remember.” The Harlem Book of the Dead, conceived and nurtured by Camille Billops, cherishes that remembrance and enlightens us as solely reminiscence can.

–Toni Morrison

*

Poetry by Owen Dodson.

Courtesy of Primary Information. Artwork by James Van Der Zee © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Death all the time occurs
To anyone else,
Not the useless.

Somebody—mates,
Somebody—aunts,
Cousins, nephews, moms,
Fathers, sisters, brothers—
Not the useless.

Courtesy of Primary Information. Artwork by James Van Der Zee © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Can I take advantage of my boy scout knife
To carve the bark of birch timber
And ship playing cards to Mama and Popa
Signed along with your title and mine,
Jesus, do you assume?

Courtesy of Primary Information. Artwork by James Van Der Zee © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Courtesy of Primary Information. Artwork by James Van Der Zee © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I assumed once I died,
I might be useless,
But worms are after the tongue
I preached salvation with.
You’d assume they’d’ve waited
Till I used to be within the grime
And my flowers useless. 

They been waitin’ right here
Since I used to be born, I reckon.
I received’t be nowhere close to complete
On resurrection day
To be a part of the hosts.

_____________________________

Introduction © 1978 Toni Morrison. From The Harlem Book of the Dead, by James Van Der Zee, Owen Dodson, and Camille Billops. Used with permission of the writer, Primary Information.