Life — June 29, 1922 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

**Top cartoon:** "Art, Music and the Drama Chained to the Car of Commercialism" depicts the arts being enslaved to a commercial vehicle. Figures representing artistic disciplines are literally chained and pulling a cart driven by a fat plutocrat wearing a top hat, with a sail labeled "EFFICIENCY" above. Cherubs or putti on the left appear to represent classical ideals. The satire critiques how commercial interests and profit-seeking have corrupted and enslaved the arts. **Bottom cartoon:** "Delegation of School Teachers Marching on Their Uppers" shows teachers in worn clothing marching with an American flag, appearing downtrodden. "Uppers" refers to the soles of worn shoes—a visual pun suggesting teachers are impoverished or poorly paid. This likely protests inadequate teacher compensation during an earlier period. Both condemn institutional exploitation.