Life, 1916-09-07 · page 17 of 40
Life — September 7, 1916 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This illustration from *Life* magazine (page 399) depicts two figures in what appears to be a confrontation scene. A soldier or military figure in uniform, viewed from behind, addresses a woman in classical or allegorical dress. The caption "Let Me See Your Hands" suggests an inspection or interrogation scenario. The soldier's demand to examine the woman's hands likely references a satirical commentary on military authority, suspicion, or control—possibly commenting on wartime security measures, searches, or the assertion of power. The woman's classical aesthetic suggests she may represent an allegorical figure (Liberty, Justice, or similar), making this potentially political satire about government overreach or military authority constraining ideals of freedom. Without additional context about the publication date or historical moment, the precise political reference remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
E o} Q an ws [o} fo} pe} 2 E fo} o “LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS”