Carl Van Vechten
Carl Van Vechten
====================
Full Name and Common Aliases
Carl Van Vechten was born Charles Edward Van Vechten on June 17, 1880. He is often referred to by his middle name.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: June 17, 1880
Died: December 21, 1964 (age 84)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Van Vechten was an American author, photographer, and arts personality. His multifaceted career spanned various artistic disciplines.
Early Life and Background
Carl Van Vechten was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He grew up in a family of modest means, with his father serving as a lawyer and politician. Van Vechten's early interest in art and literature was encouraged by his mother, who valued education and creative pursuits. He began writing at an early age and attended the University of Chicago before transferring to Harvard University.
Early Influences
Van Vechten's artistic inclinations were shaped by his exposure to European culture during a 1905 trip to Paris. This experience deepened his appreciation for art, literature, and music, influencing his future work as a writer, photographer, and arts advocate.
Major Accomplishments
Van Vechten was a prolific author, publishing numerous novels, short stories, and essays on various subjects.
He is best known for his novel Nigger Heaven (1926), which explores the Harlem Renaissance movement.
As a photographer, Van Vechten captured iconic portraits of notable figures from the arts world.Notable Works or Actions
Van Vechten's contributions to American literature and culture include:
His involvement in the development of the Harlem Renaissance, through his writing and friendships with prominent African-American artists.
His extensive collection of photographs documenting the lives and work of creative individuals during the 1920s-1960s.Impact and Legacy
Van Vechten's influence extends beyond his written works and photographic legacy:
As a cultural ambassador, he helped introduce European avant-garde movements to American audiences through his writing and public advocacy.
* His photographs serve as a visual record of artistic innovation during the early 20th century.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Carl Van Vechten's significance lies in his unique ability to bridge art, literature, and culture. As an author, photographer, and arts personality, he embodied the spirit of creative experimentation that defined the Harlem Renaissance movement. His influence can be seen in the work of numerous artists and writers who followed in his footsteps.
Van Vechten's legacy serves as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural exchange. Through his writing and photography, he continues to inspire new generations of creatives, ensuring his place as an enduring figure in American literary and artistic history.
Quotes by Carl Van Vechten
Carl Van Vechten's insights on:
Well, she said, that picture is the kind of picture that gives pleasure to the kind of people who like that kind of picture.
The cat seldom interferes with other people’s rights. His intelligence keeps him from doing many of the fool things that complicate life.
There are ... two kinds of people in this world, those who long to be understood and those who long to be misunderstood. It is the irony of life that neither is gratified.
The lack of imagination or invention most people display in naming pussies is almost beyond credence.
The cat seldom interferes with other people's rights. His intelligence keeps him from doing many of the fool things that complicate life.
...with a cat you stand on much the same footing that you stand with a fine and dignified friend; if you forfeit his respect and confidence the relationship suffers. The cat, it is well to remember, remains the friend of man because it pleases him to do so and not because he must.
Note 4. For these and other reasons the cat is also very hard to photograph. The best photographs are instantaneous, as the mere breathing of a cat will blur the fur in a time exposure.
The cat is the only animal without visible means of support who still manages to find a living in the city.