Life — November 3, 1921 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration depicts a "Folly Number" issue featuring two figures in an ornate interior. The man, dressed as a harlequin (jester) in diamond-patterned costume with a ruffled collar, offers flowers to a woman in elegant evening wear. The title "A False Note" suggests satire on romantic pretense or insincere courtship. The harlequin costume—traditionally associated with foolishness and deception in theater—reinforces the theme of false sincerity. The wealthy, decorated setting emphasizes the artificiality of the scene. The artwork is credited to F.X. Leyendecker, a prominent illustrator of the era. Without additional context, the specific target of satire remains unclear, though it likely comments on affected social behavior or romantic dishonesty common in 1920s culture.