The Wasp — 1889 — page 344: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This November 23, 1889 *Wasp* cartoon satirizes a recent political upheaval in South America. The caption reads "The Last of Monarchy in South America: The most gentlemanly revolution on record." The image depicts five well-dressed gentlemen in formal attire seemingly conducting an orderly, civilized transition of power—one figure gestures expansively while others appear to be carefully handling documents or regalia. The satire appears to mock the notion that this revolution was "gentlemanly" or peaceful by showing the elite managing the change in an almost comically polite manner, suggesting the power transfer was orchestrated among the wealthy rather than representing genuine popular upheaval. This likely references Brazil's November 1889 bloodless coup that abolished the monarchy and established a republic.