Life, 1915-03-11 · page 29 of 48
Life — March 11, 1915 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a Charles Dana Gibson illustration showing a well-dressed couple examining magazines and illustrated materials together. The cartoon depicts a genteel domestic scene of shared reading and conversation—likely a commentary on courtship, marriage, or the relationship between educated companions. Life magazine is running a contest asking readers to caption or interpret the image in twenty words or fewer. The substantial prize pool ($870 total, with $500 first prize) reflects the magazine's popularity and engagement with its audience during this era. The satire appears to hinge on the ambiguous moment captured: what has "just been said" between these figures? Without knowing the specific context or date, the humor likely involves either the awkwardness of polite social interaction, romantic tension, or some contemporary social commentary about gender relations and shared intellectual pursuits—typical Gibson territory.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
(This picture has no title) Drawn by Charles Dana Gibson. What Has Just Been Said? For the best answer to the picture above Life will give $500 $200 First Prize Second Prize Third Prize Fourth to Tenth (inclusive) $10 each $100 Total, $870 Conditions of the Contest The answer, in whatever form submitted, must not exceed twenty words, and may be either original or a quotation, The paper upon which the answer is sent should contain nothing but the answer, with the name and address of the author in the upper left-hand corner. If this rule is violated the judges reserve the right to debar the contribution. Manuscripts should be addressed to The Contest Editor of Lire, 17 West 31st Street, New York. Envelopes addressed in any other way will not be con- sidered. All answers submitted must be at Lire office not later than Saturday, April 24. The contest will close at nooon of that date, Within one week from April 24 checks will be sent to the winners. Announcement of winners will be made in Lire’s issue of May 13. It is not necessary to be a subscriber to Lire in order to compete. The contest is open free to every one. Only one answer from each contestant will be considered. No manuscripts will be returned The editors of Lire will he the judges. They will award the prizes to the answers which, in their judgment, are the most deserving. (See page 436.)