Life — October 18, 1929 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a **Buick automobile advertisement**, not a satirical cartoon. The page promotes "The New Buick" by appealing to wealthy, discriminating buyers. The ad's language reflects 1920s-30s class attitudes: it praises "an aristocracy of judgment as well as...wealth" and notes that wealthy people who once bought expensive foreign cars are now choosing Buick instead. The advertisement suggests that purchasing this car demonstrates refined taste and good judgment. The small illustration at the top right appears to show a well-dressed woman, reinforcing the car's association with luxury and sophistication. The large central image displays the automobile's sleek design against a dark background, emphasizing its aesthetic appeal. This represents period advertising that explicitly marketed products to elite consumers using language celebrating class distinction.