Irrgarten

Date1838 (possibly)

Possibly by Jessie Larey/Laury (active possibly ca. 1838)

MediumWatercolor and ink on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary support: 15 3/4" x 12 3/4" and Framed: 17 3/4" X 14 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1963.305.2

DescriptionA lettered maze within a square reserve, centered on the support, with wider borders of twining flowers on the sides than at top and bottom. The maze is laid out as though it were a ribbon colored blue on one side and yellow on the other, the "ribbon" intricately folded and turned at 90- and 45-degree angles, sometimes showing the blue side, sometimes the yellow. Wording appears on yellow sections of the ribbon but also in open spaces created by the folding of the ribbon. Flower pots, hearts sprouting flowers, and small geometric motifs fill open spaces within the central square.

The 1-inch, flat, stained oak frame is a later replacement.
Label TextThe writing on the back is difficult to decipher; it may give the name of the artist and the date of execution. No other examples by this accomplished hand have been noted. The refined handwriting and delicate drawing betoken an experienced artist, quite likely a schoolmaster.

The Irrgarten ("Maze") was one of several fraktur types devoted almost exclusively to religious and moralistic teaching. Most are labyrinthian in form and many, like this one, utilize various stanzas from popular hymns. This example combines verses from two hymns that were published in most early German language hymnals in colonial America.

The format and some of the design elements compare closely with other known American Irrgartens, especially one owned by the Free Library of Philadelphia; the two share identical labyrinths, and both feature vases with flowers in their interior corners and hearts with flowers issuing from their tops. Although by different hands, their similarity suggests a common source of design, whether handmade or printed.
InscribedAn ink inscription on the back of the primary support is only partially legible; it appears to read: "Jessie Larey [or possibly Laury]/1838".

On the front, handwritten in ink in fraktur-style lettering is:
[heading]: "Irrgarten."
[first hymn, stanzas 1-9 within labyrinth]: "1 Wie sicher lebt der mensch der staub sein leben ist ein fallen laub und dennoch schmeigelt er sich gern der tag des todtes sei noch fern 2 der jüngling hoft des greises ziel der mann noch seine Jahre viel der greis zu vielen noch ein jahr und keiner nimmt den irrthum wahr, 3 Sprich nicht, ich denk in glück und noth im herzen oft an meinen tod den der todt nicht weiser macht hat nie mit ernst an ihn gedacht, 4. wir leben hier zur ewigkeit zu thun was uns der herr gebeut und unsers lebens kleinster theil 1st eine frist zu unserm heil. 5. Der todt rückt seelen vor gericht Da bringt gott alles an das licht und macht was hier verborgen war den rath der her:/:zen offenbar. 6. Drum da dein todt dir täglich dräut so sey doch wacker und bereit prüf deinen glauben als ein christ ob er durch liebe thätig [ist]. 7. ein seufzer in der letzten not ein wunsch des, durch erlösers todt vor gotes thron gerecht zu seÿn Dies macht dich nicht von sünden rein, 8 ein herz dass gottes stimme hort Ihr folgt und sich vom bösen kehrt ein gläubig herz von lieb erfüllt dies ist es was in christo gilt, 9. Die heiligung üoffenbart müh Du wirkst sie, nicht gott, wirket sie du aber ringe stets nach ihr, als wäre sie ein werk von dir"
[first hymn, stanzas 10-14 along the labyrinth border in block form]:
"10, der ruf des lebens dass du lebst dein höchstes ziel/nach dem du strebst und was/dir ewig glück verschaft, ist/tugent durch des glaubens kraft./11. Ihr alle seine tage weihn/beisst einge-denk des todes/feÿn, wachsen in der heiligung/ist wahre todes erin:/:nerung,/12 Wie oft vergess ich diese/pflicht herr geb mir mir [sic] nicht,/ins gericht drück selbst des todes bild in mich dass ich dir wandle würdiglich/13 Das ich mein herz mit,/jedem tag, vor dir o gott er:/:forschen mag ob liebe, demut,/fried und treu,/die frücht/des geistes in ihm sey/14, das ich zu dir um gnade fleh/stets meine schwachheit/widdersteh und einstens, durch/des glaubens mach[t] mit freu:/:den ruf, es ist vollbracht."
[second hymn, stanzas 1-3 along the labyrinth border in block form]: "1 Nun, sich der tag geendet/hat und keine sonn mehr scheint/schläft alles was sich ab:/:gemacht auch was zuvor/geweint;/2. nur du, mein gott, hast kei:/:ne rast, du schläfst und schlu:/:mmerst nicht, die finsternis/ist dir verhasst weil du/bist selbst das licht;/3, gedenke, herr, doch auch/an mich in dieser dunklen/nacht und schenke mir/gnädiglich den schirm, von deiner macht."

The English translation reads:
[first hymn, stanzas 1-9 within labyrinth]: "1 How confidently man lives, whose life is dust, a fallen branch, and yet deceives himself with thinking that the day of death is still far off., 2 A youth hopes to attain old age, an adult man a good many years more, an old man thinks too much of one more year and none is aware of the foolishness of it all., 3 Do not say, I shall think of my death by chance or dire straits. Whoever is not made wise by death, has never thought seriously about it., 4. We live here to eternity to do what pleases God. And the smallest detail of our lives is ordained for our eternal good., 5. Death escorts souls to judgment where God brings everything to light. And the counsels of the heart, so secret here, shall there be revealed., 6. Therefore since your death presses you daily, be awake and ready. Test your faith as a Christian, whether it is active in love., 7. A sigh upon the verge of death, a hope to stand acquitted before God's throne by the Redeemer's death will not suffice to make you free from sin., 8. A heart perceiving God's voice, following it and converting from evil, a believing heart filled with love, is what counts in Christ., 9. Sanctification reveals effort; you don't achieve it, God does. You, however, struggle constantly for it, as if it were a work of yours."
[first hymn, stanzas 10-14 along the labyrinth border in block form]: "10. O God, each day examine my heart to find out whether love, humility, peace and trust, the fruits of the Spirit, are there., 14. That I may flee to you for grace and overcome constantly my weakness, and at last in the power of faith shout with joy: it is finished."
[second hymn, stanzas 1-3 along the labyrinth border in block form]: "1. Since now the day is over, and the sun no longer shines, everything sleeps which settles itself down, even what once cried., 2. Only you, my God, you take no rest, you slumber not nor sleep, darkness is hateful to you, since you alone are light., 3. Think on me, too, Lord, in this dark night; provide me graciously the shelter of your might."

ProvenanceOwnership prior to Robert Carlen, CWF's source, is undocumented.