This exhibition and its catalogue explores Jean Bell’s Collection of African American History, a trove of more than 200 postcards, stereographs, albumen prints, and gelatin silver prints. Taken together, these ephemeral images provide an important window into African American cultural life from 1890 to about 1930.
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Exhibition Description

Anonymous: African American Portraits, 1890 –1930 presents fifty photographs
from the collection of local Omaha collector Jean Bell. Curated by Loves Jazz & Arts Center Curator Neville Murray, the black-and-white portraits are attributed to
mostly anonymous portrait photographers of African Americans of the day. These portraits offer a wonderful and unique insight into the daily lives of early African Americans who migrated to the cities of the Great Plains from the southern states and rural communities.

This exhibition offers a rare look at a proud and marginalized population who sought equality in a racially segregated country.

When local collector Jean Bell brought these wonderful photograph to the Loves Jazz & Arts Center we were in awe at the scope and content of the beautiful photographs. It was also immediately clear that there was a great urgency to stabilize the photographs because many of then were in various stages of decay. We went about the work of cataloging the collection and digitally scanning and repairing each photograph.

This exhibition showcases many of these images that have been digitally restored and enlarged. The images depict a proud and beautiful people that negate many of the negative depictions promoted in the popular culture of the time. Examples of this reality was apparent in all aspects of American life in fact minstrelsy which was popular in American popular culture played a significant role in cementing and proliferating racist images, attitudes and perceptions worldwide.

These photographs come from a period in American history when discrimination in all aspects of life for African Americans was the order of the day, but these photos give viewers a glimpse into African Americans private lives. We see families, individuals, children and couples in a dignity and poise despite their daily realities

"Anonymous" Online Exhibition of select works from the Jean Bell Collection

View Slideshow.