Life — September 4, 1919 — page 24: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a sketch titled "Shade of Michel Angelo" (referencing Michelangelo, the Renaissance master). The image shows two figures on the right—one in dark formal dress with a top hat, gesturing toward a large group of ethereal, loosely-sketched figures above them. The satire appears to critique someone's artistic or creative pretensions by invoking Michelangelo's ghost as a witness. The formally-dressed figure seems to be presenting or defending the sketchy figures above as if they were serious artistic work. The contrast between the sharply-rendered lower figures and the vague, hastily-drawn upper group suggests mockery of inferior or pretentious art being passed off as masterful work. The signature reads "Peter Newell," the cartoonist.