Harlem 1932

HARLEM 1932 captures a striking moment in early 20th-century urban life. The colorized composition features a red and black 1932 Cadillac Phaeton V-16 parked on a street lined with classic brownstone buildings. A lady dressed in an elegant, fur-trimmed coat stands next to the car, while a man dressed in a similar coat is seated inside, all exuding a sense of sophistication and style despite the era’s hardships. The scene draws from a famous black-and-white photograph by African American photographer James VanDerZee. The colorful composition evokes the atmosphere of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance. The architectural backdrop grounds the moment in a historic New York neighborhood known for its cultural significance.

By award-winning artist Melvin Hale.