‘Remember Me’ Highlights Black Americans’ Self-Expression in Early Photography

In 19th century America, photography was a luxury only a few could afford, resulting in a visual record heavily skewed toward affluent, white individuals and families. The process of capturing images was complex, requiring long exposure times and, consequently, carefully posed scenes. As a result, we rarely see candid shots from this era.

The National Gallery of Art is currently presenting Remember Me: Picturing African Americans in Early Photography, an exhibition that aims to rectify this historical imbalance. The show, scheduled to open on November 7 and continue through March 14 in Washington, D.C., features dozens of images of Black Americans, both taken of them and by them.

The exhibition showcases a diverse range of lived experiences, including fashion, family, and social status. The images, which include gelatin silver prints, daguerrotypes, tintypes, and ambrotypes, provide a glimpse into the richness of African American life during this period. Some of the photographs have even been colorized to enhance their visual impact.

Many of the earliest formats were fragile and often displayed in ornate folding cases, cabinet cards, or portraits by pioneering Black artists like James Van Der Zee, who ran a prominent studio in Harlem during the early 20th century. Remember Me emphasizes self-expression and the entrepreneurial spirit of African American individuals, highlighting around 70 pieces from the museum's collection.

This exhibition is a crucial step towards a more comprehensive understanding of Black American history and identity through the lens of early photography.