The Wasp — 1893 — page 169: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page mocks the hypocrisy of San Francisco's wealthy during Lent, the Christian season of fasting and self-denial. The large figure on the right represents a wealthy woman conspicuously dressed in expensive finery despite supposedly observing Lenten austerity. The left panel shows a gentleman literally throwing money away while claiming poverty during Lent. The smaller vignettes depict related absurdities: a sausage factory scene labeled "A scene of convict rejoicing," and two men labeled as "Chamblis and Greenway" leaving "the dancing halls vacated," suggesting the wealthy closed entertainment venues while hypocritically maintaining luxury. The overall message: San Francisco's rich performed religious observance superficially while their actual behavior—spending lavishly—contradicted Lenten principles of restraint and charity. The satire targets class-based religious hypocrisy.