Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Elias Hamman

DatePossibly 1806

Attributed to The Strasburg Artist

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Shenandoah County

MediumWatercolor, gouache, and ink on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary support: 15 1/16 x 12 9/16in. and Framed: 22 1/4 x 19 5/8in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1981.305.1

DescriptionA large-scale, vertical format birth and baptismal certificate. The script is contained in the center within a heart-shaped surround formed by a sun at center top, crescent moon at center bottom, and linking chains of colored stars on either side. On either side of the moon, peacocks stand on branches, their bodies facing outwards, their heads turned up and back to gaze at sun. Two scantily-draped angels hover at top; each holds a trumpet in the outside hand and supports half of a center crown-shaped plaque containing words. The colors are bright blue, green, yellow, orange.
The 3-inch splayed, grain-painted frame with a flat outer edge is a nineteenth century replacement.

Label TextThe text within the heart-shaped wreath was written in the meticulous fraktur lettering taught in the Strasburg German School maintained jointly by the Lutheran and Lutheran Reformed congregations in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Two of the three other birth and baptismal certificates known to have been made by the same artist were executed for children born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Whether or not the "Strasburg Artist" actually worked in both states remains undetermined. Notable qualities of Elias Hamman's certificate are its bright colors and crisp, assured drawing and penmanship. Overlapping forms are handled in a particularly convincing manner, as illustrated by the hands of the angels and the ribbons behind their arms.
InscribedIn German, the ink inscriptions read: (within crown) "Die liebe Sonne/Scheint fur alle"; (heading below sun) "Geburts und Tauf=Schein"; (text below heading) "Diesen beyden Ehegatten als Johanes Haman/und seiner ehelichen Hausfrau Barbara eine geborene/Beckerin wurde ein Sohn Zur Welt geboren/im Jahr unsers Herrn 1806. den 29ten Tag/Monats August. dieser Sohn ist geboren in/Shenandoa Caunty im Staat Virginia/in Nord Amerika. und erhielt bey der/heiligen Taufe den Namen Elias, den/21ten 7bris 1806, von Herrn/ Pfarrer Hoffman/die Taufzeug waren Joh:/Georg Hottel: und/dessen Gattin."
In English the translations read: (within crown) "The dear sun shines for all"; (heading below sun) "Birth and Baptismal Certificate"; (text below heading) "To these two married people, namely Johannes Hamman and his lawful wife, Barbara, nee Becker, a son has been born into the world, in the year of our Lord 1806, the 29th day of the month of August. This son was born in Shenandoah County in the State of Virginia in North America and received the name Elias through Holy Baptism on the 21st of September 1806, from Pastor Hoffman. The sponsers were Joh: Georg Hottel and his wife."
ProvenanceEdgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbsich, New York, NY; M/M William E. Wiltshire III, Richmond, Va.; sold at auction (Sotheby Parke Bernet) 1981.