Life — January 22, 1920 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a sketch from *Life* magazine showing an elegant social gathering in what appears to be a wealthy home. A woman in an elaborate gown stands conversing with several men in formal attire, while seated women observe from the foreground. The caption reads "The Assassin." The satire likely mocks high society courtship rituals—depicting the woman as a social "assassin" who strategically navigates elite gatherings, presumably to secure an advantageous marriage or social position. The formal, ornate setting emphasizes the artificiality of upper-class social performances. Without the complete article text, the specific target of satire remains unclear, but the image suggests *Life*'s typical critique of pretentious wealthy society and the calculated nature of romantic/matrimonial politics among the elite.