Elegant Portrait of Mrs. Bustanoby, Circa 1915-1920

This glass negative features Mrs. Louis Bustanoby, captured sometime between 1915 and 1920 by a Bain News Service photographer. The Bain News Service was known for its early contributions to photojournalism and played an important role in documenting American life during this transformative era. The photograph serves as a snapshot of private life and public personas, a common focus for photographers of the time.

During this period, the early 20th century was marked by significant social change in the United States. Women were asserting their presence in different spheres of society, and the post-World War I era began to redefine gender roles. Photographers like those in the Bain News Service sought to capture these shifts, spotlighting individuals like Mrs. Bustanoby in a way that highlighted not just their personal stories, but also the broader cultural shifts occurring at the time.