Life — April 26, 1883 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Cover, April 26, 1883 This is the cover/masthead of *Life* magazine, a satirical weekly published in New York. The ornate illustration depicts fantastical and mythological figures in a dreamlike scene—cherubs, winged creatures, and classical figures populate an elaborate landscape with a cityscape visible in the background. The imagery appears purely decorative and fantastical rather than political commentary. The elaborate Art Nouveau-style design with its ornate borders and allegorical figures was typical of *Life*'s aesthetic during this period. No specific contemporary political figures or events appear identifiable in this particular artwork. The publication details confirm this as Volume 1, Number 17, costing ten cents per copy, published Thursdays from the Life Office at 1155 Broadway, New York.