Life — May 4, 1905 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration depicts a woman at her vanity, surrounded by luxurious items: mirrors, flowers, and cosmetics. The caption "Her Master" suggests satirical commentary on female vanity and materialism. The cartoon likely mocks upper-class women's preoccupation with appearance and luxury goods as their "master"—implying that these superficial concerns dominate their lives rather than intellectual or substantive pursuits. The woman gazes at her reflection while surrounded by the trappings of beauty and wealth, reinforcing the satirical point. This reflects early-20th-century *Life* magazine's frequent social satire targeting wealthy society women, their leisure pursuits, and consumer habits. The humor relies on the period's gender assumptions about women's priorities and vanity.