Life — April 27, 1922 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon compares theatrical production across 300 years. The left side shows a modest 17th-century Molière theater setup (labeled "1622 Molière 1922"), with simple furnishings and sparse staging. The right depicts a figure gesturing at an elaborate "New York Theatre" with ornate framing, suggesting modern American theatrical grandeur and commercial excess. The caption "Quelle différence!" ironically highlights how theater has transformed from Molière's era to 1922—likely critiquing either American theatrical commercialism or the pretension of contemporary productions compared to classical French drama's simplicity. The contrast emphasizes how profit-driven spectacle has replaced artistic restraint.