The Wasp — September 20, 1879 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* presents three portraits labeled as members of the Grant family: "Lt. Col. Fred Dent Grant, U.S.A." (lower left), "Mrs. U.S. Grant" (center/top), and "U.S. Grant Jr" (lower right). The inclusion suggests satire regarding the Grant family's prominence and public prominence during the Reconstruction era. The formal presentation style mimics serious portraiture, which *The Wasp* likely used ironically to critique or mock the family's social status or political influence. Without additional context from surrounding pages, the specific satirical point—whether attacking nepotism, wealth, military privilege, or personal conduct—remains unclear, though the deliberate framing suggests the magazine viewed them as fit subjects for public ridicule or commentary.