Life — October 26, 1893 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Eyes of Love" - Life Magazine, October 26, 1893 This illustration depicts a domestic scene titled "The Eyes of Love," featuring dialogue between what appears to be a mother (Mamma) and daughter (Ethel) about a young man's romantic feelings. The caption reads: "But, Ethel, how do you know that this young man loves you? Has he told you so?" followed by Ethel's response about observing how he looks at her when unaware. This is a sentimental romantic sketch typical of 1890s Life magazine—satirizing courtship conventions of the era. The humor likely derives from the naive, indirect communication methods of Victorian-era romance, where a young woman must infer love from glances rather than direct declaration. The ornate decorative border on the left is characteristic of the magazine's artistic design from this period.