Life — September 8, 1921 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Cover Analysis (September 8, 1921) This is a "Burlesque Number" cover featuring an illustrated woman's face in an exaggerated, theatrical style typical of 1920s burlesque entertainment. The figure displays stylized features common to burlesque caricature: wide, surprised eyes, pronounced lips, and an elaborate pearl necklace. Her short, curled hair reflects the fashionable "flapper" bob of the era. The cover satirizes burlesque theater—a popular form of bawdy, comedic entertainment featuring risqué performances. By labeling this a "Burlesque Number," Life magazine was likely mocking both the theatrical genre itself and contemporary attitudes toward modern entertainment and women's fashion/behavior. The exaggerated illustration style emphasizes the theatrical artifice central to burlesque comedy.