Life — August 2, 1929 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is an advertisement for "The Ruxton," an automobile brand. The visual presents twelve stylized male figures arranged in a circle, each rendered as simplified, geometric silhouettes wearing hats. They appear to be discussing motor cars, as indicated by the text: "TWELVE MEN WERE DISCUSSING THEIR MOTOR CARS AND OUT OF THEIR COMMENTS CAME—" The design uses modernist Art Deco styling popular in early 20th-century advertising. The twelve men likely represent diverse perspectives or demographics, suggesting broad consensus about the vehicle's quality. This advertising approach—gathering multiple voices to build credibility—was common in automotive marketing of this era, implying that the Ruxton appealed to various discerning buyers across social classes.