Life, 1921-02-17 · page 4 of 34
Life — February 17, 1921 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not satire or political commentary. It's a Life magazine advertisement for The Prudential Insurance Company of America (circa early 1900s, based on publication details). The mural decoration by E.H. Blakfield depicts allegorical figures representing virtues—Prudence (center, on throne with shield), Temperance, Increase, Foresight, Constancy, Thrift, and Order—that supposedly lead people to "Security." Below these symbolic figures are listed working-class occupations (carpenter, electrician, fisherman, etc.) the insurance company aims to protect. The ad's message: insurance provides security and protection for ordinary workers and their families, embodying the virtues depicted above. This is straightforward corporate messaging rather than satirical commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Published Weekly by Life Publishing Company ‘at 17 Wee shat Street, New SY, Increase - Foresight - Constancy Thrift - Order - Temperance These Lead the On a throne in the center is Prudence or Security, holding a shield, emblem of protec- tion, and an hour-glass as monitor that man’s days are numbered. Under her cloak she shelters the helpless—those too old and too feeble to work. Above are floating symbolic figures, —Tem- perance holds the bit; Increase, an oak branch People to Security indicative of great things from little; Order, a tablet and stvlus; Thrift, a distaff; and Fore- sight, a lamp trimmed and burning; Con- stancy, a mariner’s needle. Below are some of the protected people: Carpenter, Electrician, Fisherman, Brick- layer, Fireman, Railroadman, Farmer, Shon girl, Sewing girl, Clerk, Soldier, Sailor, ete. This beautiful picture typifies the great protective principle of The Prudential Are You Insured ? The Prudential Insurance Company of America Incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey FORREST F. DRYDEN, President HOME OFFICE, NEWARK, N. J. comicbooks.com