The Wasp — 1878 — page 465: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This engraving depicts two female allegorical figures—likely representing abstract concepts of Commerce and Industry or similar virtues—in distressed circumstances. The woman on the left holds what appears to be a spindle or weaving tool, labeled "COMMERCE," while the right figure reclines despondently among ledgers, books, and barrels, surrounded by business materials. The satire appears to criticize economic hardship or business decline, possibly during an economic downturn or crisis. The women's postures—one working desperately, one collapsed in despair—suggest commentary on suffering industries or commercial paralysis. Without additional context about The Wasp's publication date and specific historical events, the precise economic or political situation referenced remains unclear, though the imagery critiques some form of commercial distress.