[Portrait of Truman Capote] - Public domain portrait print

A random collection of portraits of people famous between 1926-1963

Truman Capote was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1924 and grew up in a tumultuous household with his mother and various relatives. Despite his troubled childhood, Capote became a successful and respected figure in the literary world. He is best known for his non-fiction novels "Other Voices, Other Rooms", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and "In Cold Blood." "Other Voices, Other Rooms" is a novel by Truman Capote that was published in 1948. It is the story of a 13-year-old boy named Joel Knox who is sent to live with his father in a remote plantation in rural Louisiana after his mother's death. Joel is an outsider in this new place, and he struggles to find his place and to understand the strange and mysterious people who live there. The novel is known for its vivid and evocative portrayal of the South, as well as its themes of isolation, loneliness, and the search for identity. It was Capote's debut novel, and it established him as an important voice in American literature. The novel was a bestseller and received critical acclaim for its lyrical writing and its complex and compelling characters. It has been adapted into a film and a stage play, and continues to be widely read and admired to this day. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is a novella by Truman Capote that was published in 1958. It is the story of a young woman named Holly Golightly who is trying to find her place in the world and make a name for herself in New York City. Holly is a stylish and adventurous woman who is always on the lookout for new experiences and opportunities. She is also a bit of a socialite, and is often seen at the city's hottest parties and events. The novel is narrated by a writer who becomes friends with Holly and becomes drawn into her world. Through their interactions and conversations, the reader learns about Holly's past and her struggles to find her place in the world. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is a witty and charming story that explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. It has been widely praised for its memorable characters and its evocative portrayal of life in New York City. The novella was adapted into a successful film in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. "In Cold Blood" is a non-fiction novel by Truman Capote that was published in 1966. It tells the story of the 1959 murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, and the investigation and trial that followed. The book was based on extensive research and interviews that Capote conducted with people involved in the case, including the killers and their families, law enforcement officials, and members of the community. "In Cold Blood" was a groundbreaking work in the true crime genre and helped to establish Capote's reputation as a master storyteller and innovative writer. The book was praised for its vivid and detailed portrayal of the events leading up to and following the murder, as well as its insightful analysis of the motivations of the killers. It became a bestseller and was adapted into a film and a stage play. To this day, it is considered a classic of non-fiction literature and has had a lasting impact on the genre. He also wrote several other novels, including "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Other Voices, Other Rooms," as well as several plays and short stories. Capote died in 1984 at the age of 59.

Carl Van Vechten was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1880 and grew up in the Midwest. He studied at the University of Chicago and later moved to New York City, where he became a fixture in the city's cultural scene. Van Vechten was a prolific writer, and he published numerous novels, plays, and essays over the course of his career. He was also an influential critic, and he wrote extensively about music, literature, and the arts. In addition to his work as a writer and critic, Van Vechten was also a talented photographer, and he took thousands of portraits of famous and influential figures in the arts, literature, and society. Van Vechten was known for his wit and his eclectic interests. He was a friend and associate of many of the leading figures of the time, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Langston Hughes. He died in New York City in 1964, leaving behind a rich legacy as an author, critic, and photographer. The Van Vechten Collection is held by the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, and it includes a wide range of materials, including photographs, correspondence, manuscripts, and other documents. The collection is an important resource for researchers studying the history of the arts and literature in the 20th century.