Elegant Early 1900s Portrait of Mrs. Wing

This image, captured between 1910 and 1915, showcases Mrs. Wing, a subject of early 20th-century portrait photography. Produced by the Bain News Service, a prominent photography firm known for covering newsworthy events and figures, this glass negative serves as a glimpse into the eras social life and photography techniques. Glass negatives were widely used during this time because they could produce high-quality images with remarkable detail, an important aspect for portrait photography.

The Bain News Service was instrumental in documenting American life during a transformative period in history, which included advancements in technology, culture, and society. Photographers employed innovative techniques to render subjects, like Mrs. Wing, with clarity and a direct gaze, providing a deeper connection between the viewer and the subject. This particular photograph reflects the eras fascination with formal portraiture, highlighting both sartorial elegance and the emerging trends in personal expression. Such images not only capture individual identities but also contribute to our understanding of historical contexts, social norms, and aesthetic values during the early 1900s.