Even the church has got it (1896)

Samuel Ehrhart's 1896 painting, "Even the Church Has Got It," offers a humorous and satirical glimpse into the societal trends of its time. Capturing the essence of the bicycle craze that swept through America in the late 19th century, Ehrhart playfully depicts a minister riding a bicycle, a mode of transport that was becoming wildly popular across different sections of society.In the painting, the minister, depicted with exaggerated features characteristic of caricatures, gleefully mounts a stylish bicycle. His coat tails and hair flutter comically in the breeze as he zooms past strolling ladies, whose expressions mix amusement and surprise. Notably affixed to his coat is a Bible, humorously underscoring the tension between traditional roles and modern trends. His traditional top hat coupled with his enthusiastic adaptation of the new technology encapsulates the merging worlds of the old and the new.The painting's vibrant colors and dynamic composition effectively convey the motion and excitement surrounding this new cultural phenomenon, while the background setting—a tranquil village scene—further emphasises the contrast between the old and new. Ehrhart's work serves not only as an amusing depiction but also as a commentary on the inevitable adaptation of established institutions to contemporary innovations.