Life — July 18, 1918 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a portrait page identifying John Ames Mitchell as the founder and editor of *Life* magazine. The image shows a formal black-and-white photograph of a distinguished gentleman wearing pince-nez glasses, a dark suit, and bow tie—the professional appearance befitting a late 19th or early 20th-century publishing executive. Rather than containing a political cartoon or satirical content, this appears to be a commemorative or editorial page from *Life* itself, likely published to introduce readers to the magazine's leadership or possibly as a tribute. The styling and presentation suggest this was significant enough to warrant a full-page portrait, indicating Mitchell's importance to the publication's identity and success during his tenure.