The Wasp — 1889 — page 38: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a social scene centered on a wealthy woman (center, elaborate bonnet) who appears to be the object of competitive male attention. The caption "Beauty and Bullion" suggests the satire targets the mercenary nature of courtship among the wealthy class. The men surrounding her—wearing formal attire and carrying canes—seem to be vying for her favor, implying they're motivated by her money ("bullion") rather than genuine attraction to her "beauty." One man wears a checkered suit (lower left), another displays obvious eagerness. The illustration mocks how wealth determines social status and romantic interest in high society, suggesting that a woman's financial assets matter more than her actual appearance or character—a critique of materialistic values in the Gilded Age social scene.