The Wasp — 1896 — page 173: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The cartoon titled "Candid" depicts two men in conversation about portraiture. One man asks, "Do you think you can make a good portrait of me?" The other replies, "I am afraid I must answer you in the negative." The satire appears to target someone's vanity or physical appearance—the implication being that no artist could produce a flattering portrait because the subject is simply unprepossessing. Without additional context identifying the specific individual caricatured, the humor relies on the common satirical device of mocking someone's looks through feigned artistic honesty. The surrounding text discusses various public figures and social commentary typical of The Wasp's style.