Photo by Gavin Ashworth
Pennsylvania German Folk Art and Fraktur
Pennsylvania German folk art and fraktur are highly artistic illuminated manuscripts created primarily by Pennsylvania German artists between 1740 and 1850. These works combine calligraphy and decoration, reflecting both artistic skill and cultural tradition.
Fraktur were executed in ink and watercolor and appear in a wide variety of forms, including Vorschriften (writing samples), Taufscheine (birth and baptismal certificates), marriage and house blessings, bookplates, and decorative floral and figurative drawings. Earlier fraktur were drawn entirely by hand, while printed text became more common in later examples.
Traditional fraktur are known for their vibrant colors and distinctive motifs, most often featuring birds, hearts, and tulips—symbols of love, faith, and prosperity.