Vintage Portrait of Early 20th Century Individual

This historical photograph features L. Koemmenich, captured between 1915 and 1920 by the Bain News Service, a prominent photography studio of the early 20th century. Known for its vast array of images documenting American life, the Bain News Service played a crucial role in capturing moments that reflect the social and cultural fabric of the time. This image, a glass negative, is part of a technique widely used before the advent of modern photography, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and early innovation in the field.

Glass negatives were common in early photography, offering high-quality images that were essential for both news dissemination and artistic expression. The process involved exposing light-sensitive glass plates to capture detailed scenes, making them invaluable for historians studying this era. Documentation like this photograph not only serves as an artistic representation but also provides insights into the early 20th century, a period marked by significant change and development in technology, society, and culture.