De Fransche Geestelijkheid geeft bewonderenswaardige blijken van heldenmoed en toewijding (...) 1915

Sémaphore created this photograph with the lengthy title, "The French Clergy shows admirable signs of courage and dedication," to depict the role of the church in wartime. It appears to have been taken during the First World War, judging by the soldiers in the background. The photo shows three clergymen standing with bicycles in a muddy field, surrounded by military personnel. The clergy's presence suggests an effort to provide spiritual support, moral guidance, or perhaps direct assistance to the troops. The bicycle itself is a key element. In a time before motorized transport was common, bicycles offered a practical means to travel between different locations on the front. The image thus speaks to the modernization of war and the church's adaptation to these changes. The artwork's title and composition suggest an effort to portray the clergy in a heroic light. Historical research into the wartime role of the church and the social conditions of the time would offer a fuller understanding of this image.