Elegant 1917 Portrait of Two Distinguished Women

This photograph captures two women, identified as Mrs. Phil. Lydig and Mrs. Geo. Ethridge, standing together on May 13, 1917. Taken by a photographer from the Bain News Service, this image reflects a specific moment in time, showcasing fashion and social norms of the early 20th century. During this period, women were increasingly becoming visible in public life, with evolving roles in society that were leading to broader changes in social dynamics.

The glass negative itself serves as a window into the early days of photography, a medium that was rapidly evolving at the time. Photographers like those at Bain News Service contributed significantly to the documentation of American life, capturing everything from notable events to everyday scenes. The clarity and detail of glass negatives reveal the engaging aesthetics of early photographic techniques, preserving not just the likenesses of the subjects but also hints about their personal stories and the world they inhabited.