Read the visual description
This is a painting of a decorative folk art piece featuring two stylized figures and German script. The image shows two stylized figures positioned on either side of ornate, old-fashioned German script. The figure on the left appears to be dressed in a period costume, complete with a hat and an overcoat with lace detailing, while the figure on the right is adorned in a detailed dress with heart motifs and an apron. Above the write-up and between the figures, there is a bird with outstretched wings decorated with intricate patterns.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
Baptismal Wish for Catarina Titzlir
Sussel-Washington Artist
- Date
- c. 1765
- Medium
- pen and brown ink and transparent and opaque watercolor on laid paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 16.03 × 19.69 cm (6 5/16 × 7 3/4 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 1966.13.15
- Credit line
- Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch
- Time span
- 1751 to 1775
- Department
- CG-W
Subjects and terms
- American
- fraktur
- Baptismal Certificate
Inscription
In German: upper left:in pen and brown ink: Nicolai Derter, Tauff Zeugr [Nicolai Derter, Baptismal Witness]; upper right in pen and brown ink: Barbarra Lumacherin, Tauff Zeugin [Barbara Schumacher, Baptismal Witness]; center in pen and brown ink: Ehrstlichr wunsch flieseht aus / dem Herzens Grund, zu aller Stund / Winsch ich ihm glück und Gunst, in / dem leben allhier, Zu bauen der / Seelen Ziehr, auch wandeln den / eggen Weg, und fliehen den breiten / Steeg, das Leben dein, Gab Gott vor / augen allein, wacht auff zu / Gottes ehr, und deiner nahchsten / Freud, Zum menschlichem nutz / und deiner Seeligkeit. Catarina / Fitzlei(?) Geboren Anno / 1765. Dom 16th August im / Zeichen Löwe; Bettel daunsip / Lenkestru County [The most important wish flows out of the depths of the heart, I wish him luck and goodwill at all hours, to build the soul’s ornament in this life, also wander the narrow path and flee the broad path, God gave you life before his eyes alone, awaken to God’s honor and your closest joy, for human benefit and your salvation. Catarina Fitzlei(?) Born Year 1765. Sunday, 16. August in the sign of Leo; Bethel Township Lancaster]
NGA object ID 50701. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.