Life — July 29, 1915 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Assassin" - Life Magazine, July 29, 1915 This political cartoon depicts a solitary figure standing in a desolate landscape beneath a stormy sky, titled "The Assassin." The darkened, barren terrain and ominous atmosphere suggest evil or violence. Given the 1915 publication date, this likely references World War I, which had begun the previous year. The figure appears to represent either a warring nation or the concept of militarism itself—personified as an assassin stalking across a devastated landscape. The contrast between the light sky and blackened earth emphasizes destruction. Life magazine, founded as a humorous publication, frequently offered political commentary on contemporary events. This cartoon's stark imagery critiques the violence and moral corruption associated with warfare during WWI's early, brutal phase.