KATHERINE DUNHAM (ca. 1940s) Photo archive

[New York, Los Angeles]: Various, ca. 1940s. Set of eight 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm) black-and-white glossy silver gelatin photos. One is double weight, most have attached blurbs and information stamps. Light use for publishing, about fine.

Katherine Mary Dunham (1909-2006) was an African American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist and social activist. Dunham had one of the most successful dance careers of the 20th century and directed her own dance company for many years. She has been called the “matriarch and queen mother of Black dance”. She was instrumental in getting respect for Black dancers on the concert dance stage and directed the first self-supported Black dance company. (Wikipedia)

Representing her 1940s period, Dunham is featured wearing dance costumes and in dance poses with male partners for film and theatre appearances. Highlights of this group include a portrait stamped by photographer Alfred Valente, in rehearsal for the 1948 film Casbah, and for the stage shows Carib Song, Jazz in Five Movements, Tropical Revue, Bamboche! and Night of the Stars at Madison Square Garden ca. 1941.