James Van Der Zee's self-portrait, presented as two gelatin silver prints, showcases the legendary Harlem Renaissance photographer turning his keen eye upon himself. The diptych format invites viewers to consider the dual nature of Van Der Zee's identity as both the observer and the observed, the man behind the camera now stepping in front of it. Through the rich tonal depth and precise craftsmanship characteristic of the gelatin silver process, Van Der Zee captures his own image with the same dignity and elegance he famously brought to his subjects throughout his celebrated career.