Birth Certificate
- Date
- 1775
- Material
- Watercolor and ink
- Classification
- Drawings & watercolors
- Collection
- Prints, Drawings, and Photographs
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 8 5/16 x 13 1/8 in. (21.1 x 33.3 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 163:1953
NOTES
Angels proclaim the birth of Christina Gilbert (1775–1845) in this fraktur drawing. This type of decorated manuscript derives its name from a German script that uses “fractured” pen strokes. German immigrants brought this tradition to Pennsylvania, where it blossomed into a rich form of artistic expression. Geburtscheine, or birth certificates, were regularly updated to commemorate life milestones. Christina’s uncle, the artist Conrad Gilbert, made this certificate for her. The heavy writing at the center conveys her birthdate and her parents’ names. The more delicate script below was added in 1795 to record Christina’s marriage.
The holes in the paper are caused by the highly acidic nature of iron gall ink, which causes the paper to become brittle and crumble over time.
The holes in the paper are caused by the highly acidic nature of iron gall ink, which causes the paper to become brittle and crumble over time.
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