Life, 1895-12-19 · page 7 of 18
Life — December 19, 1895 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 397 This page celebrates **Joseph Jefferson**, a famous 19th-century American actor (born Philadelphia, February 20, 1829). The left illustration shows Jefferson as **Richard III** in Shakespeare's play, depicted meditating on murder before abandoning Ophelia—referencing his celebrated theatrical roles. The right photograph captures Jefferson in everyday dress heading to church, labeled as "an instantaneous view taken of a sunday morning." The satire lies in the contrast: the page juxtaposes Jefferson's theatrical persona—capable of portraying dark, morally complex characters—against his mundane, respectable real life. This highlights the common Victorian fascination with actors' dual natures: the dramatic intensity they displayed onstage versus their ordinary, pious private conduct. The piece celebrates Jefferson's contributions to American theater and public admiration.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
> LIFE: JEFFERSON AT TEN, AS RICHARD, MEDITATING THE MURDER OF SHYLOCK BEFORE HIS PARTING WITH OPHELIA, and again he insists on the reavity of what he has just written—a page or chapter direct from nature, He expresses joy one day because a certain chapter ‘is alive anyway, and life is all in all.” These letters—spontaneous, rugged, ejaculatory—are almost photo- graphic in the picture that they give of his daily life. There seem to be no concealments—nothing to make him less the idol of all who read, and the despair of all who write. Droch. THE GROWTH OF GREATNESS. XX. JOSEPH JEFFERSON, HE subject of our illustrations was born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1829, and is consequently more than seventeen years old. His life has been devoted to the stage. ‘The public has patronized him handsomely, and his gratitude has been shown by unceasing efforts to further the cause of dramatic art in America. His lavish production of * The Comedy of Errors” has never been equalled. His Zouchstone was the best feature of the costly and magnificent setting which he gave to “As You Like It.” Even Sir Henry Irving's “Much Ado About Nothing” could not compare in gorgeousness and costliness with the background Mr. Jefferson gave to his characterization of Dogberry. ‘The reckless extravagance shown by Mr. Jefferson in his other 397 well-known productions entitle him to the gratitude of every lover of stage art. It is stated, on what seems to be good authority, that he has appeared as Aip Van Winkle in play of that name, as Bob Acres in “ The Rivals,” as Major Golightly in “Lend Me Five Shillings” and as Cad/eb Plummer in“ The Cricket on the Hearth,” A STRIKING SIMILARITY. is an awful chump. He reminds me of the wise men of the Noachian era.” “ What, that idiot? Why, he doesn’t know enough to go in when it rains.” “ Well, neither did the: FrRIEND: That is a very high-class comedy you are running. Is it drawing good houses ? MANAGE! Big houses? It is doing as well as the best variety show in town. Mr. JOSEPH JEFFERSON, FROM AN INSTANTANEOUS VIEW TAKEN OF A SUNDAY ON HIS WAY TO CHURCH. MORNING. comicbooks.com