Life — January 18, 1923 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine showing a group of men gathered around a banner reading "EXCELSIOR" (meaning "ever upward/excellence"). The figures appear to be political or business leaders of the era, depicted in caricatured form. One man holds a trident (a classical symbol of power), while the group stands before a dark, ominous tower or structure against a stormy sky. The caption reads: "All: Don't bother, boys, I'll do it." The cartoon satirizes ambitious or power-seeking figures who claim they alone can accomplish great things. The "Excelsior" banner and classical imagery mock grandiose aspirations, while the dark setting suggests danger or hubris. Without clearer identification of the specific figures or historical context provided, the precise political targets remain unclear, but the satire targets overconfident leadership or monopolistic ambition.