The Wasp — 1878 — page 489: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page depicts a series of sequential illustrations showing a person carrying a bicycle wheel above their head in various poses and positions. The figure is drawn in a grotesque, exaggerated style characteristic of Victorian satirical art. The title "THE HORSE AND MOTION" and the repeated cycling motif suggest this is satirizing either: - The bicycle craze of the late 1800s - Ridiculous or undignified postures required by cyclists - Perhaps mocking a specific person or trend associated with cycling The decorative cartouche on the left contains ornate Victorian design but the text is illegible in this reproduction. Without clearer text or additional context, the specific target of this satire remains unclear, though the absurd physical contortions imply mockery of either cycling enthusiasts or a particular public figure.