The Wasp — 1879 — page 231: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This six-panel narrative shows a monkey destroying an artist's work. The sequence depicts: 1. A monkey examining framed paintings 2. The monkey using a large brush or tool as a weapon 3. Disagreement over artistic merit (the dog prefers one painting) 4. The monkey growing hostile toward the dog's judgment 5. Paintings and easel overturned in destruction 6. The monkey dies, unable to escape consequences The satirical title references a biblical phrase about sin's consequences. The cartoon appears to mock artistic pretension and vanity—suggesting that those who pursue art without genuine merit (represented by the monkey) ultimately face ruin. The monkey's violent response to criticism and eventual downfall illustrate the "wages" of artistic hubris or fraudulent work. The specific artist or artwork being lampooned remains unclear from the page alone.