Nora Bayes was a vaudevillian comedic performer. At the age of 18, Bayes entered Vaudeville. She was an effortless singer and could put over any song. By 1898, vaudeville was becoming accepted as a form of family entertainment. Bayes was a beauty with a husky voice and sold the songs with a vivacious manner. Her effortless delivery won over every audience. Bayes comedic and acting abilities made her perfect for the times. She was a successful songwriter with credits for such big hits as "Shine On Harvest Moon". Bayes introduced and recorded many other popular songs like "Over There", "Japanese Sandman", and "How Ya Gonna Keep Em Down On The Farm". Warner Brothers produced a 1944 fictionalized movie "Shine On Harvest Moon" about her life which included many of her songs. In this portrait, Bayes is centered and posed in a side view gazing right. She is formerly attired, wearing a dark dress with a pleated belt. Her outfit is accentuated by the fur stole draped over her left arm and plumed hat. Bayes accessories include a simple metal necklace, two beringed fingers and a wrist watch on her left arm. A single long stemmed rose accentuates her attire, as the stem appears to be tucked into her belt, and the bloom is nestled against her chest.