The Wasp — June 5, 1880 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Upheld by Law" - The Wasp, June 5, 1880 This cartoon depicts a military or judicial figure standing on an elevated platform, addressing a crowd while women in dark robes (appearing to represent widows or mourners, labeled with tags) stand prominently in the foreground. The caption "Upheld by Law" suggests satire about legal authority. Without clearer identification of the specific historical event, figures, or legislation referenced, the precise target remains uncertain. However, the visual composition—emphasizing a powerful male authority figure elevated above grieving or affected women—suggests criticism of how law or governance impacts women, possibly regarding legal rights, court decisions, or wartime consequences. The Wasp was known for sharp social and political commentary in 1880s San Francisco.