Life — January 1, 1920 — page 29: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration depicts an intimate New Year's Eve scene between a well-dressed man in formal attire (tuxedo with bow tie) and a woman in an elegant gown. They appear to be embracing or dancing in an upscale interior, with a clock visible on the wall in the background showing midnight—the traditional moment for New Year's celebrations. The satire appears to target romantic or social conventions of the era. The caption's phrasing—"starting the new year right"—suggests ironic commentary on how people celebrate or what they prioritize at this threshold moment. The formal dress and refined setting indicate this concerns upper-class behavior, likely mocking contemporary attitudes about romance, propriety, or leisure among wealthy society. Without additional context, the specific social critique remains implicit.