Life, 1895-03-07 · page 18 of 20
Life — March 7, 1895 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts an evening party scene with numerous guests in formal attire. The caption indicates it shows "the effect upon our artist of a prolonged study of 'The Yellow Book.'" **Context:** *The Yellow Book* was a fin-de-siècle British literary journal (1894-1897) associated with aestheticism, decadence, and avant-garde art. It was considered scandalous and provocative by Victorian standards. **The satire:** The cartoon suggests that studying this publication has distorted the artist's perception, causing them to see the ordinary social gathering in a warped, exaggerated manner—the figures appear stylized and grotesque rather than realistic. This is a commentary on *The Yellow Book's* influence as potentially corrupting or skewing one's aesthetic sensibilities toward the artificial and decadent. The page also contains period advertisements for Bromo-Seltzer, a Life magazine binder, greenhouse equipment, and ladies' tailoring—typical of early 20th-century magazine content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
From the Pall Mall Bedgit. AN EVENING PARTY. SHOWING THE EFFECT UPON OUR ARTIST OF A PROLONGED STUDY OF "THE YELLOW BOCK.” LIFE BINDER. Cheap, Strong and Durable, Wi Sricaen Harmless and effective hold 26 numbers. Mailed to on} is Bromo=Seltzer| 272°" Address Office of * LIFE.” For HEADACHE and DISORDERED STOMACH) 19 we 22iry-tirwe sires» ORUGOISTS PERFUMERS HITCHINGS & co Horticultural Architects and Builders Read tor Sprin jalan ” And Largest Manutacturers of y j f Bstabtished so Years. GREENHOUSE HEATING ano VENTILATING APPARATUS.) importations are comple assortment larger than ever, merous models to select fr prices very reasonable. Best_ Workmanship. Fit Guaranteed. Suits, Silk-Lined throughout Fifty to Sixty Dollars. BERGDORF & VOIG .“ , d Furriers, Conservatories, Greenhouses, Palm Houses, Etc., Erected Complete with rane betilg Nuenue. Our Patent Iron Frame Construction. Plansand Estimates of Cost and Ss THustrated Catalogues Sent on Application, 288 MERCER ST., N.Y. a i PS eae <a Ccomicbooks.com