Life, 1901-01-31 · page 1 of 20
Life — January 31, 1901 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine, January 31, 1901 The decorative header "LIFE" features allegorical figures and cherubs typical of turn-of-the-century design. The photograph below shows what appears to be an artist's studio or workspace, with figures examining or discussing artwork. The caption references a conversation about the profession of art, with one speaker asserting that "success in the profession is not simply working for sordid gain" but rather teaching "grand lessons, to fortify life in its true proportion, its grand symmetry." The dialogue suggests a debate about artistic purpose—whether art should prioritize commercial success or moral/educational uplift, a common tension in early 1900s cultural discourse. The studio setting and formal dress indicate this concerns serious artistic practice rather than commercial illustration. The satire's specific target remains unclear from the visible text, though it appears to critique either pretentious artistic philosophy or the gap between artists' ideals and commercial reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XXXVIIL. NEW YORK, JANUARY 31, 1901. NUMBER 952. Entered at the New York Post Office as Second-Ulass Mail Matter. Copyright, 1900, by Lirz PuBLIsnixo ComPaxy. aa RiCans Sum Young Lady tanrious to uplift the stage): Yes, MY INTEREST IN THE PROFESSION 18 NOT SIMPLY WORKING POR SORDID GAIN, I HAVE A HIGHEM IDEAL—TO TEACH THY GRAND LESSON, TO PORTRAY LIPE IN ITS TRUE PROPORTION, ITS ORAND SYMMETRY. Manager Rose-tn-bloom; WM, YOU WOULD DO IT IN TaMTs, 1 s'Pose. comicbooks.com