Life — October 9, 1913 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily a **White Company automobile advertisement** from Cleveland, not political satire. The classical allegorical imagery—a charioteer controlling winged horses—represents the White Berline motorcar as a vehicle of supreme control and elegance. The advertisement emphasizes the car's "absolute correctness of construction," "perfect control," and "inspiring dignity of appearance." The classical styling (Apollo-like figure, mythological horses, clouds) positions the automobile as a modern achievement worthy of ancient grandeur. The actual automobile shown is modest by comparison, suggesting the ad uses mythological exaggeration to market the vehicle's quality and prestige to early 20th-century consumers. This reflects common advertising practice of the era—elevating commercial products through high art references.