1911 Vintage Portrait of Notable Figure Emily McLean

This 1911 glass negative features Emily McLean, a notable figure of her time. Captured by the Bain News Service, the photograph showcases the early 20th-century portrait style that emphasizes both the subjects individuality and societal norms of the era. McLean’s attire reflects the fashions of the period, offering insights into the clothing styles that were popular among women during the early 1900s.

Emily McLean herself remains a lesser-known individual within history, but her portrait is emblematic of the many women who contributed to the fabric of society in that time. The early 1900s were a significant juncture in American history, marked by changing social dynamics as women began to increasingly participate in public life and seek more independence. This glass negative, preserved for over a century, serves not just as a likeness of McLean but as a fragment of a broader narrative about womens roles and image during a transformative period in history.