Object Details
- Artist
- Herschel Levit, 1912 - 1986
- Sitter
- Harry Belafonte, 1 Mar 1927 - 25 Apr 2023
- Exhibition Label
- Born New York City
- Harry Belafonte created a sensation in the 1950s, when he introduced Americans to the lilting Caribbean rhythms of calypso with his renditions of such songs as “Day-O (Banana Boat Song).” Belafonte achieved his first success in 1949 as a pop music singer but soon shifted his focus to the American folk songs and traditional West Indian melodies that showcased his talent as a balladeer and reflected his strong social conscience. In 1956, his release of Calypso—the first solo album to sell more than one million copies—launched the craze for this musical genre and established Belafonte as its most popular interpreter. He also appeared in several films, including Carmen Jones (1954) with Dorothy Dandridge.
- Believing that his music could help bring people together to work for the common good, Belafonte embraced the dual roles of civil rights activist and humanitarian early in his career and continued to advocate for those in need for the rest of his life.
- Nacido en la Ciudad de Nueva York
- Harry Belafonte hizo sensación en la década de 1950 cuando dio conocer a los estadounidenses los ritmos caribeños del calipso con canciones como “Day-O (Banana Boat Song)”. Belafonte tuvo su primer éxito en 1949 como cantante pop, pero pronto se dedicó a las canciones folk estadounidenses y las melodías tradicionales de las Antillas, que resaltarían su talento como baladista y reflejarían su fuerte conciencia social. En 1956, su grabación de Calypso –primer álbum de un solista que vendió más de un millón de copias–desató la fiebre de este género musical y estableció a Belafonte como su intérprete más popular. También apareció en películas tales como Carmen Jones (1954) con Dorothy Dandridge.
- Convencido de que su música podía unir a la gente en pro del bien común, Belafonte se dedicó desde temprano en su carrera al doble papel de humanitario y activista por los derechos civiles, y continuó abogando por los necesitados el resto de su vida.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- 1960
- Object number
- NPG.98.86
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Copyright
- © Herschel Levit
- Type
- Photograph
- Medium
- Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions
- Image/Sheet: 27.9 x 42.1 cm (11 x 16 9/16")
- Mat: 55.9 x 71.1 cm (22 x 28")
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Location
- Currently not on view
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- Harry Belafonte: Male
- Harry Belafonte: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Theater\Stage actor
- Harry Belafonte: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
- Harry Belafonte: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Singer\Popular singer
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.98.86
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4c4a8c6c1-f85e-45e3-bee4-dd60154698e5
