Vorschrift, unfinished

Dateca. 1810

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Southeastern

Mediumink and watercolor on laid paper

DimensionsPrimary Support: 8 x 12 7/8in. (20.3 x 32.7cm); object is not framed

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2001.305.4

DescriptionAn unfinished writing exercise of four lines of Fraktur-style lettering, the first line written in more elaborate, larger lettering than the others. The second and fourth lines are written in black, the third in red; the large, open letters of the first line are basically unfilled. The first line is overlaid with a horizontal unfilled strip.

Artist unidentified.

The piece was acquired without a frame.

Label TextThis unfinished Vorschrift (writing exercise) features the wording of Psalm 50, verses 15-16, translated as: "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. But unto the wicked God saith: What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?"

Pennsylvania German schoolmasters created texts from which pupils could learn piety as well as reading and writing skills. The teacher who began this example must have been stockpiling against a day of need; why it was never finished remains unknown.
InscribedTranscription by Alan Keyser, 10/27/2009, reads: "Ruffet Mich A/an in der Noth. so Will ich dich Erretten und du solt/Mich preissen Aber zum gottlosen spricht Gott Was verkün=/digest du meine rechte und nimst meinen bund in deinen mund, Ps: 50 ve. 15. 16".

Translation by Keyser reads: "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. But unto the wicked God saith. What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Psalm 50:15,16."
MarkingsA watermark in the primary support appears to be a circle with [lettering?] inside and with a crown on top and a bell below.
ProvenanceCWF's source acquired this piece at an estate sale in Dayton, Ohio, about 1980 (along with 2001.305.1-2001.305.3) The object's earlier ownership is undocumented.