The modern war god (1905)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
In "The Modern War God," Samuel Ehrhart presents a satirical and vibrant portrayal of militarism at the turn of the 20th century. The painting features a cartoonish figure, representing a modern-day Mars, the Roman god of war, decked out in an exaggerated military uniform. His attire is heavily adorned with weapons and ammunitions, portraying the absurdity of the military fervor of the time.The figure stands proudly outside a storefront labeled "Marsheim Bellonaberg & Co.," an imaginative war supply shop, emphasizing war loans as a specialty. The storefront window displays a variety of military hardware, further highlighting the commercialization of war. Ehrhart's work cleverly critiques the eagerness of industries and nations to profit from conflict, using the allegory of the mythological god of war to underscore the ridiculousness and often overlooked lunacy of militaristic enthusiasm.This caricature provides a humorous but pointed reflection on the relationship between warfare, economy, and society, delivering a timeless message on the consequences of glorifying military prowess and the arms race.
Delivery
Returns
American cartoonist and illustrator born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Ehrhart received his education in the New York City school system. Subsequently, he studied art in Munich. His work appeared in Harper's Monthly (1878-79), Puck (1880, and 1888-1913), and Judge (1887). He died in Brooklyn, New York on October 26, 1937.