Carl Van Vechten

The literary godfather of several writers was Carl Van Vechten, whose novel "Nigger Heaven" 1926 did much to excite interest in Harlem life among what the leading writer of the next generation, Richard Wright, called, between gritted teeth, "burnt-out white Bohemians with money."

Passing Fancies James Campbell 2011

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks 'painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks 'painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

These are two cultural stars -- the choreographer Antony Tudor and his great dancer Hugh Laing -- and yet everything about their lifelong love for each other is hidden, at most hinted at in an image carefully constructed by a leading photographer, Carl Van Vechten, who was himself a closeted gay man.

National Portrait Gallery's 'Hide/Seek' finds a frame for sexual identity Blake Gopnik 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks' painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks 'painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks 'painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks 'painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks 'painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010

For example, in the seldom seen Romaine Brooks' painting of critic, photographer and novelist Carl Van Vechten, there are barely visible faces of African-American boys in the dark background behind an icy-white, rather creepy Van Vechten.

Alison Teal: Hide/Seek and Don't Ask Don't Tell Alison Teal 2010