The Wasp — 1878 — page 349: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This appears to be a satirical illustration depicting **Death or a skeletal figure in an ornate carriage drawn by stags**, arriving at what seems to be a scene of corruption or moral decay. The carriage features elaborate decorative scrollwork and skull imagery. On the ground, various figures—appearing impoverished or morally compromised—interact with the Death figure. One label visible reads "CORRUPTION." The scene suggests **Death's association with political/social corruption**, a common Victorian satirical theme. The figure on the right in a hat likely represents a political or social authority figure. The overall composition uses classic memento mori imagery (reminders of death) to critique corruption infiltrating society or government. Without additional context or publication date, the specific targets remain unclear, though the theme suggests 19th-century American political satire.