Life — August 7, 1919 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This engraving by Coughton depicts a classical allegorical scene. A robed figure (likely representing Bacchus, the Roman god of wine) stands centrally, holding a trumpet-like instrument, wearing a wide-brimmed hat. To the left, a leopard or spotted cat appears; to the right, a cherubic or satyr-like figure holds a telescope while standing on an urn or vessel. The title "Mission of Bacchus" suggests satirical commentary on wine's cultural "mission" or influence. The classical imagery and symbolic animals (Bacchus's traditional leopard companions) combine with the incongruous telescope and trumpet—likely mocking either pretensions to scientific legitimacy for alcohol consumption or the absurdity of treating wine-drinking as a noble pursuit worthy of fanfare and investigation. The exact satirical target remains unclear without additional context from the magazine issue.