The Wasp — 1887 — page 446: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical Christmas illustration from *The Wasp*, a San Francisco-based humor magazine. The central image depicts well-dressed gentlemen riding atop a giant fly or insect, flying over a pastoral landscape where ordinary people gather below. The satire appears to target wealthy elites or political figures who are literally "above" common citizens—a visual metaphor for class division and inequality. The fantastical insect conveyance suggests the absurdity or precariousness of their elevated status. The contrast between the aerial gentlemen and the grounded, working-class figures below emphasizes social stratification during the Gilded Age. The specific identities of the figures remain unclear without additional context, but the overall message critiques class privilege and distance between rich and poor.