A Sunday morning dream – time to wake up (1904)

Samuel Ehrhart's vibrant and whimsical painting "A Sunday Morning Dream – Time to Wake Up" captures the essence of playful satire typical of its era. Created in 1904, the artwork delves into a fantastical dream where societal norms and restrictions are joyfully tossed aside.At the heart of the scene, an older gentleman sits comfortably in a green armchair, lost in slumber, with a book that reads "Sunday Laws" prominently displayed. This central figure, likely a representation of authority or the enforcer of societal rules, is juxtaposed against the chaos of jubilant activities around him, suggesting a humorous critique of the rigidity and 'dryness' of societal norms.Surrounding the sleeping figure are scenes filled with exuberant energy and delightful rebellion. On the left, a group of men engages in a precarious game incorporating bicycles and bowling, while on the right, figures leap gleefully over a fence, defying the laws of physics and propriety alike. The dream sequence extends to children dancing around a bonfire made of books labeled with words such as "bigotry" and "intolerance," emphasizing a rejection of these repressive attitudes in a burst of liberating flames.Ehrhart’s use of bright colors and dynamic compositions enhances the sense of motion and elation throughout the painting. This piece not only serves as entertainment but also subtly critiques the social mores of his time, employing irony and exaggeration to propose a world less constrained by stringent regulations."A Sunday Morning Dream – Time to Wake Up" remains an enchanting reminder of the power of dreams to challenge the mundane and to envision a reality bounded only by imagination.