Stirring Portrait of Natalie Alt, 1913

This photograph features Natalie Alt, captured on September 5, 1913, by the Bain News Service. Known for its pioneering journalism and significant role in early 20th-century American media, the Bain News Service produced many iconic images that documented daily life and notable figures across the nation. The negative, likely made on glass, is a testament to the photographic techniques utilized during this era, which were crucial for both news reporting and artistic expression.

The presence of a blind stamp from Mishkin Studio, located on Fifth Avenue in New York City, indicates the studios involvement in the processing or publication of this image, hinting at the interconnected nature of photography and commercial artistry during this period. It illustrates how photographers and studios collaborated to enhance the visibility of their subjects, contributing to the broader narrative of a fast-evolving society at the time. This photograph stands as a remarkable snapshot of early 20th-century American life, revealing the styles, fashions, and cultural contexts that defined an era.