President Thomas’s little joke (1904)

On view now at our gallery is the intriguing and humorous work by Samuel Ehrhart, titled "President Thomas’s Little Joke" from 1904. This vibrant painting, steeped in satire, captures a series of vignettes that together comment on the political and social atmosphere of the early 20th century.Center stage in this artwork is a large, oval illustration depicting a group of gentlemen gathered around a stove branded "Standard Oil." As they warm their hands, the depiction subtly critiques the control and influence exerted by major corporations like Standard Oil over politicians and policymakers of the era.Surrounding this central scene are smaller vignettes that broaden the narrative. On the top left, a family unaffected by the cold outdoors starkly contrasts with the indoor warmth enjoyed by the elites. Below, an individual labeled as "Dusty Rhodes" declares, "President Thomas is dead right," as he basks in a sunny patch, highlighting perhaps a disconnect or contrast between public opinion and political declarations.To the right, a businessman blissfully relaxes under a "Radical Cure" sunlamp, promoting natural gas benefits, reflecting the era's debates and public endorsements of various energy sources. Below, a financial clerk struggles under the weight of numerous ledgers and paperwork, a comic representation of bureaucratic inefficiencies or the burdens of financial management.Each frame of Ehrhart’s work is rich with detail and symbolic meaning, offering a critique of the disparities in wealth, power, and influence that characterized his time.