Life, 1897-02-18 · page 1 of 20
Life — February 18, 1897 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Cover, February 18, 1897 This is the cover of Life magazine's issue #739, featuring an illustration titled "Cupids of All Nations: France." The image depicts a cherubic, well-fed cupid figure riding a black goat or similar creature, holding a wine goblet aloft. The cupid wears a French beret and appears jolly and indulgent. The ornate left border contains classical medallions with zodiacal or allegorical imagery. The satire appears to characterize France through the stereotype of indulgence, hedonism, and love of wine—common late-19th-century American caricatures of French culture. The "Cupids of All Nations" series likely presented humorous national character stereotypes. The elaborate decorative border suggests this was Life's premium cover art for the issue. The artwork is signed by what appears to be the illustrator's name.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XxXIx. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 18, 1897. NUMBER 739. Entered at the New York Post Offico as SecondClaas Mall Matter, Copyright, 1997, by Meroe. & Mitten, CUPIDS OF ALL NATIONS. FRANCE.