Iconic Portrait of Early 20th Century Culture Icon

This photograph features Carl Morris, captured by the Bain News Service on November 24, 1913. Morris, a notable figure of his time, played a significant role in the early 20th-century cultural and artistic movements in the United States. The image represents a period when photography was transitioning into an established medium for documenting people and events, allowing viewers to connect with subjects in a way that painted portraits could not.

As an example of the period’s photographic techniques, the clarity and detail of the glass negative reveal the level of artistry and technical skill employed by photographers at the time. The Bain News Service was known for its extensive work in photojournalism and portrait photography, contributing valuable visual records of American life from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. This photograph stands as a testament to both Morriss prominence and the evolving craft of photography, which would go on to influence how history is recorded and seen by future generations.