Life — February 23, 1928 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Cover, February 23, 1928 This cover illustration depicts a stylized woman's face alongside a cat, both rendered in 1920s art deco style with exaggerated features—dramatic eyebrows, defined eyes, and bold lips. The caption reads "Suitable for Pets," establishing a humorous comparison between the woman and feline. The satire likely comments on 1920s beauty standards and cosmetics trends, particularly the heavily made-up "flapper" aesthetic that was popular during this era. By equating fashionable women's appearance to something "suitable for pets," the cartoonist mocks the artificiality of contemporary beauty culture and makeup application. The matching stylized features between woman and cat reinforce this satirical parallel, suggesting that such exaggerated cosmetic styling was regarded by some as peculiar or animalistic.