Fraktur: Four Tradesmen

Dateca. 1815

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Southeastern

MediumWatercolor and ink on laid paper

DimensionsPrimary Support: 7 3/4 x 12 9/16in. (19.7 x 31.9cm) and Framed: 14 15/16 x 17 13/16 x 13/16in.

Credit LineGift of Juli Grainger

Object number2008.305.3

DescriptionA depiction of four men lined up, cartoon-fashion, across the sheet, with a horizontal dividing line near vertical center, the lower space being sub-divided into four parts, one below each man and each containing text relevant to the figure above it. Reading from left to right, the men practice blacksmithing, shoe-making, baking, and inn-keeping.

Artist unidentified.

The 1 7/8-inch frame is flat and painted red with black-painted corners and black-painted inner and outer edge striping and is a replacement possibly dating from the 2nd quarter of the nineteenth century.
Label TextThe commonest form of Fraktur in America was the geburts-und-taufschein, or birth and baptismal certificate, a formal document of one of the recipient's qualifications for eternal, heavenly life. In contrast, pieces that capture the appearances and sayings of ordinary men and women are rare. In cartoon-like fashion reading from left to right, this work shows four distinctive tradesmen pursuing their livelihoods: a blacksmith, a shoemaker, a baker, and an innkeeper. The wording consists of lively banter suggesting that each man thinks he has the best, most lucrative profession.
InscribedAlan Keyser's transcription and translation made 10/28/2009 are as follows:

[Top of left hand panel:]
Der Schmidt

[To the right of the title:]
Scheia

[Below drawing]

Wann ich hätt Eisen und Stahl/
Wolt ich mich er nähren/ über all

[Top of second panel:]

Der Schuhmacher

[Below drawing:]

Wann ich hät Leder und/ Schmer
wolt ich mich/ besser er nähren als der.

[Bottom left of second panel:]

[??]sa [This word is illegible]

[Top of third panel:]

Der Beker

[Below drawing:]

Wann ich hät Mehl und gedrid/
Wolt ich mich besser er nähren/ als die beÿd

[Top of right hand panel:]

Der Wirth

[Below drawing]

Wann Ich hät aller Leut Gnad und/ Gunst
Rom Seider Bier und wein/ Umsonst,
Mär auch Holtz Lichter/ und accis freÿ
Wolt ich mich bes/ser er nähren als die dreÿ

[Translations:]
The Blacksmith

[??]

If I had iron and steel,
I would support myself everywhere

The Shoemaker

If I had leather and grease,
I would support myself better than he.

The Baker

If I had flour and yeast,
I would support myself better than these two.

The Tavernkeeper

If I had the grace and favor of all people,
Free rum, cider, beer and wine,
In addition free firewood, candles and accis[?]
I would support myself better than all three.

ProvenanceEdgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch; sold at auction at Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, NY, January 23-24, 1974, whence bought by M/M William E. Wiltshire III, Richmond, Va.; sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, NY, April 30, 1981, whence bid in by the Washburn Gallery acting as agent for Juli Grainger, CWF's donor.