The Fostinum
The collector is the true resident of the interior. The collector dreams his way not only into a distant or bygone world but also into a better one.
- Walter Benjamin
Carl Van Vechten was an American writer and photographer and one of the foremost promoters of the Harlem Renaissance. Originally from the Midwest, Van Vechten studied at the University of Chicago, and in 1906, he moved to New York City, where he became heavily involved in the city's burgeoning cultural scene. Although married, Van Vechten became one of the leading figures of New York's gay scene, and he photographed many prominent gay cultural figures. Above you can see some of his portraits, including Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Stein, Philip Johnson, Eugene O'Neill, Feral Benga, and Lincoln Kirstein. Van Vechten is also lesser known for his casual photos, some of which you can also see above.