Kay Laurell

Kay Laurell was one of the most infamous young actresses and girls-about-town in New York around the turn of the twentieth century. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Laurell became one of the city's most well-known beauties after notoriously appearing partially nude in the Vaudeville-like show Ziegfield Follies on Broadway. Photoplay Magazine noted that she “became famous overnight. One day she was a Follies show-girl among other show-girls; the next day all Manhattan knew her.” (as quoted in C. Brock, Twentieth Century American Art: The Ebsworth Collection, exhibition catalogue, Washington, D.C., 2000, p. 106) As seen in her flattering depiction in the present work, William Glackens was one of Laurell’s many admirers, and perhaps even more, having been rumored to be romantically involved with his subject.

The original owners of the present work, sisters Nelle and Mary Mullen, were assistants to Glacken's important patron Alfred C. Barnes. They were among the original trustees of the Barnes Foundation, Merion, Pennsylvania, with Nelle later serving as President.