National Gallery of Art's 'Remember Me' Showcases Early Black Photography

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., will present 'Remember Me: Picturing African Americans in Early Photography' from November 7 through March 14. The exhibition features around 70 works from the museum's collection, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, and gelatin silver prints, many in ornate folding cases. It highlights self-expression and entrepreneurial spirit among Black Americans, with portraits by pioneering artists like James Van Der Zee, who ran a Harlem studio. The show includes images by Joseph D. Marsters, Fred S. Tisdell, Glenalvin Goodridge, and Daniel Freeman, among others. The works date from the 1840s to the early 20th century, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of Black Americans before, during, and after the Civil War. The exhibition underscores the role of photography in asserting identity and agency, countering the historical skew toward affluent white subjects. The museum's website provides further details.