Life — August 10, 1922 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Some Well-Known Americans" — Life Magazine Satire This page satirizes prominent American figures through exaggerated caricature, with the subtitle "An attempt to see ourselves as perhaps others see us." The identified figures are: - **Warren G. Harding** (left, with axe) — likely satirizing his presidency or policies - **Will Hays** (upper right, with sword) — film industry censor - **William Jennings Bryan** (center, with fan) — three-time presidential candidate - **Henry Ford** (right, on roller skates) — industrialist/automobile magnate The cartoon employs grotesque facial features and symbolic props (weapons, entertainment objects) to mock these public figures. The artist is Ralph Barton. The satire appears to critique American leadership and industry through unflattering physical distortion—a common technique in early 20th-century satirical magazines.