The cigar band fiend (1907)

"The Cigar Band Fiend" by Samuel Ehrhart is a delightful and humorous illustration that captures various life stages and social situations through a satirical lens, all linked by the whimsical theme of cigar bands. Created in 1907, this painting bursts with a colorful and narrative-rich design.Ehrhart's work showcases multiple vignettes, each underlined with witty captions that together weave a story of a person's obsession with collecting cigar bands. Starting from the upper left, we witness significant life moments such as the birth of a child, indicated by a cigar band, and moving through scenes of domestic life, social gatherings, and even a wedding where the bride's veil amusingly resembles a giant cigar band.Further exploring the idea, other vignettes depict common societal and familial situations. For instance, a family meal humorously emphasizes a child's question about cigar bands, while a scene of bereavement includes mourning over a lost band. This eclectic mix of illustrations not only showcases the absurdity linked with collecting trivial items like cigar bands but also humorously comments on society's various obsessions and habits.Samuel Ehrhart's artwork, rich in detail and vibrant in color, offers a playful critique wrapped in the guise of everyday normalcies, making "The Cigar Band Fiend" a fascinating piece both visually and conceptually.