The Wasp — 1890 — page 492: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This *Wasp* cartoon from June 28, 1890, depicts a middle-aged man with a distinctive mustache, sitting and gazing at what appears to be spectacles or viewing device. The caption suggests he's experiencing a visual deception regarding his political ambitions. The "optical illusion" metaphor implies the figure mistakenly perceives himself as a serious political contender when he is not—his aspirations are false perceptions rather than realistic possibilities. The man's formal dress and thoughtful posture suggest someone of means or standing who harbors political hopes. Without identifying marks, I cannot definitively name the subject, but the cartoon critiques someone's misguided belief in their own political viability. The satire works through the visual pun of literal optical illusions reflecting metaphorical self-deception about political prospects.