Maude Fay: Iconic 1916 Theater Star Portrait

This photograph features Maude Fay, a prominent performer in early 20th-century American theater, captured on December 12, 1916. Taken by the Bain News Service, the image is part of a larger collection documenting influential figures and events of the time. Fay was known for her dynamic stage presence, contributing significantly to the vaudeville scene and Broadway productions during an era when entertainment began to shift towards more diverse and accessible forms.

The photograph exemplifies the craftsmanship of glass plate negatives, a popular medium for capturing detailed images in the early 1900s. Glass negatives allowed photographers to create high-quality prints, making them vital for news media documentation, as seen in this image. Through this snapshot, we gain insight into the entertainment landscape of the period, highlighting the artists who shaped it.