Judge — December 1887 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This appears to be a Victorian-era holiday scene depicting a social custom. The cartoon shows a woman in an elaborate dress with a large fan standing beneath mistletoe, while men in the background eagerly approach or crowd around her. The title suggests an "innocent challenge"—likely the woman playfully positioning herself under the mistletoe, inviting the traditional kiss—followed by the "prompt acceptance" of multiple suitors rushing to participate. The satire likely mocks either the overeagerness of men to exploit the mistletoe custom, or perhaps critiques the woman's bold behavior as improper for her era. The crowded, chaotic composition emphasizes the comedic frenzy surrounding this social ritual, making light of holiday romance conventions and gender dynamics of the period.