The Wasp — 1890 — page 71: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical engraving depicts several prominent male figures as disembodied heads suspended in air above an industrial cityscape, connected by wire-like lines suggesting communication networks or manipulation. A winged female figure (likely representing "Truth" or "Press Freedom") hovers at the top. The title mocks journalists or newspaper publishers as sources of "light" (enlightenment/information), but the imagery suggests they're actually disconnected from reality—floating abstractly above the real world below. The geometric web connecting them implies collusion or coordinated messaging rather than independent reporting. The specific individuals are not clearly labeled in the visible portion, making exact identification difficult. The overall message appears to critique late 19th-century journalism as manipulative propaganda orchestrated by distant elites rather than genuine public information.