Elegant Portrait of Mrs. A.G. Vanderbilt, 1911

This photograph features Mrs. Smith McKim, also known as Mrs. A.G. Vanderbilt, taken on December 18, 1911. At the time, the Vanderbilt family was one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in America, having made their fortune in railroads and industry. Mrs. Vanderbilt, a social figure of significant influence, was often seen attending various high-society events, emphasizing her role in the cultural elite of the early 20th century.

The image is part of the George Grantham Bain Collection, which documents various aspects of American life and society in the early 1900s. Photographed by the Bain News Service, it captures not only an individual of historical importance but also serves as a representation of the social dynamics of the era. The early 1900s were marked by a growing divide between social classes and the opulence of the upper echelons, making this photograph a window into a unique time in American history.