Judge — April 29, 1916 — page 27: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily an **advertisement** for Judge magazine's art print department, not political satire. The page promotes an illustration by Enoch Bolles, a prominent commercial artist known for depicting attractive women. **The Image:** Shows a stylized young woman in 1920s fashion (headband, dropped-waist dress, stockings) standing above a man who has fallen or is diving/leaping below her. The visual pun plays on the phrase "look before you leap." **The Satire/Joke:** The advertisement uses flirtatious humor typical of 1920s "sexy" advertising—the tagline suggests a man should "leap" (take action) if he finds the woman attractive, despite the cautionary opening. The implicit joke: romantic/sexual impulse overrides prudent consideration. **Historical Context:** This reflects Jazz Age attitudes toward courtship and the "modern girl" of the 1920s, presented here as visually appealing subject matter for home decoration. Bolles was a commercially successful illustrator whose work appealed to this market. The ad cost 25 cents and could be mailed after tearing out the coupon.