Religious Text

Date1794

MediumWatercolor and ink on laid paper

DimensionsPrimary Support: 16 1/8 x 13in. (41 x 33cm) and Framed: 19 3/8 x 16 1/4in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1933.305.3

DescriptionAn illuminated, vertically formatted manuscript, the primary support (and its frame) in the shaps of a shouldered arch. Within the arch, an angel in a red-checked robe hovers beneath a crown and clutches the ends of two twining, flowering vines, which support three birds on each side and which extend to lower center, the foliage, flowers, and birds framing the central text in a rectangular reserve. A sequence of red-bordered rectangles forms an outer border, the reserves containing words. Most of the text is in the central rectangular space. Shorter texts appear in hearts, one in each lower corner, and in the rectangular space at lower center flanked by flame-like motifs. Below the central text is a head with wings.
The 1 3/4-inch flat frame in the shape of a shouldered arch may have been made for the piece, but it appears to have been added later, in the early nineteenth century. It consists of a pinned, mortise-and-tenon jointed, pine back frame with a cherry-veneered face and black-painted cherry cockbeading. The veneer forms the rabbet edge. At one time, the upper corners of the frame sported brass knobs; these were removed in 1977 and the holes filled.

Artist unidentified.
Label TextAn array of leafy vines, birds, and flowers symmetrically frames the central wording of this illuminated religious text, which may be of Mennonite origin. Because the piece includes no alphabets or cardinal numbers, it is not considered a Vorschrift (writing exercise). Like Vorschriften, however, texts such as this were often created by schoolmasters and given to students as rewards of merit or presentation pieces. They exemplified good penmanship while their texts conveyed scripture, hymn verses, or moral precepts, thus inspiring their recipients on two levels.
The angel at the top is the focal point of this example. Probably the figure was executed before the surrounding arch and small border, since the wing tips and left foot break into these areas. The angel also unites the surrounding decoration, as its hands clutch the ends of the two vines --- an unusual pose in American fraktur.
InscribedHandwritten in ink in fraktur-style lettering:

[heart, left]: "Seelig/sind die/geistlich armen, Dann das him/melreich ist Ihr, Ihrer will sich/Erbamen, Aus dem sie ziehn/Herfür, zu der Glorie Schmuck/und Ehr, weil sie geben/Ihm gehör./Geschrieben/den 2ten/May/1794"

[at bottom center]: "Hüt dich fluch/Nicht in Meinem Hauss, sonst geh nur/Bald zur Thür Hinaus sonst Möchte Gott/vom Himmelreich straffen Mich und dich zugleich."

[heart, right]: "Gott Erhö/ret Euer seh/nen, Es, Ist Raum genug für/Euch, Aber keiner soll von de/nen die den Ruff zu Christi/Reich Schlagen aus Im/Himmels Saal, schme/cken Diesens Abend/mal . . . amen/Halle/lujah."

[in the outer border, beginning at the bottom left-side corner]: "Dem Gott aber der da Ausgeführet hat den grosse Hürten der Schaafe durch das Blut der Ewigen Testa/ments Derselbe Mache Euch Fertig Tüchtig und Geschickt zu Thun seinen Willen Und Schafe In Uns Was vor Ihm gefüllig Ist Durch Jesum Christum Welchem sey Ehre von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit Amen Dein Leben Lang Habe Gott vor Augen und Im Hertzen und Hüte dich dass du In keine Sünde willigest. Geschrieben Im Jahr unsers Herrn Jesu Christi Anno que Domini 1794 1794"

[under the angel]: "O wie Ist die welt bethöret dass sie daran sich/vergaft, was doch mit der Zeit aufhöret, was gar/bald wird weggerafft, und was ewigllich Ergötzt, schö/der Eitelkeit nachsetzt, Aecker kaufen Weiber Nehmen -- /soll geschehn als wär es nicht. O dass wir uns Möchten/schämen, Eh des Höchsten zorn gebricht und zur Tieffen/Höllen senkt die Ihr Hertz der Welt geschenkt, seine boten/Seine knechte seufzen, achtzen klagen nun, Die uns/zeigen seine Rechte bringen für Ihn unser Thur/Unsere Entschuldigung, wann sie Thun
afforder/ung. Komt Ihr armen und Elenden die Ihr an/den gassen Liegt, Gott will auch hül/fe senden Dass Ihr werd in Ihm vergnügt/Hört der boten Ruf und schall kommt zum grossen/abendmahl. Komt Ihr Krippel und Ihr blinden/Die Ihr noch Entfernet seyd, Komt Ihr sollet/Gnade finden Komt zum mahl es ist bereit/Seyd getrost Erschrecket nicht Euch erscheint/Das gnaden Licht. Nicht viel Hohe sind beruffen/Und nicht viel gewaltige [sonsen] sondern von den/Niedern stuffen, steigen viele In die Höh was/Da Niedrig vor der Welt ist was Gott dem Herrn/gefielt."

The English translations read:

[heart, left]: "Blessed are the spiritually poor, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs, mercy will be shown to them from Him in Whom they have their source, to the adornment of glory and honor because they fix their minds on Him. Written on the 2nd of May 1794"

[at bottom center]: "Beware of cursing in my house, else walk right out the door! Otherwise God in Heaven will punish you and me alike"

[heart, right]: "God hears your longing. There is room enough for you. No one who hears the call to the Kingdom of Christ shall be denied the heavenly banquet in the marriage hall. Amen. Hallelujah."

[in the outer border]: "To God Who has led us, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, may He make you ready, diligent and able to do His will and create in us what is pleasing before Him through Jesus Christ to Whom be honor for ever and ever Amen. Your whole life through keep God before your eyes and in your heart and keep yourself from falling into sin. Written in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ Anno que Domini 1794 1794"

[under the angel]: "Oh, how foolish is the world to take time for the things which will soon cease, which will soon be taken away, those things which seem to charm eternally, but are sheer vanity, buying land, taking women --- such things go on as if there were no tomorrow. Oh, that we should be ashamed of those things before the wrath of the Almighty breaks and sends them to deepest hell. If your heart is given to the world, pay heed to the groanings, sighings, and lamentations of His messengers, His servants, who point out His righteousness and bring our doings before Him and bring about our pardon, if we heed. Come you poor and wretched who lie in the streets. God will send you help so that you find delight in Him. Hear the watchman's cry and call, come to the high communion. Come you cripples and blind ones who are still far off, come and you will find grace. Come to the meal, it is prepared, be comforted, do not fear. The light of grace shines forth for you. Not many of high estate are called and not many powerful ones, but from the low estates many rise to prominence, for what is lowly to the world counts before God."
ProvenanceEdith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, NY; purchased from Halpert by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; given by Rockefeller to CWF.