The Wasp — 1881 — page 58: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes what appears to be a lavish society wedding, likely involving the wealthy Belmont family (prominent New York aristocrats). The left panel shows an elaborate feast with expensive dishes. The right panel depicts the actual wedding ceremony—a crowded, chaotic scene of numerous guests packed together in apparent disorder. The satire contrasts the opulent food preparation with the hectic reality of the event itself, suggesting pretension or excess in high-society celebrations. The title "Hymeneal Fast Belmont" plays on "hymeneal" (relating to marriage) and "fast" (rapid/loose living), mocking the couple or the spectacle of wealthy New Yorkers' matrimonial displays during this era.