Life — November 25, 1886 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a single-panel cartoon titled "PROBLEM SOLVED," showing a figure in period dress standing before an open door, looking outward into darkness. The caption reads: "QUE CA? QUE CA? BARTHOLDI'S STATUE! AND LIGHTED!! WITHOUT EXPENSE." The cartoon appears to reference the Statue of Liberty (created by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi) and likely addresses a contemporary debate about illuminating the monument. The figure's French expressions ("Que ça?") and the ironic tone of "without expense" suggest satire about either proposals to light the statue or disputes over funding its installation/maintenance. The humor lies in the impractical or absurd solution being presented—the door opening to darkness renders the "lighting" solution ironic or nonsensical.