
Drawn with Spirit
Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection
Lisa Minardi(Author)
Yale University Press
Published on 8. January 2015
Book
Hardback
364 pages
978-0-300-21052-1 (ISBN)
Description
One of the finest groups of Pennsylvania German fraktur ever assembled is presented in its entirety, illustrated with beautiful photography
Among the most beloved forms of American folk art, fraktur is a Germanic tradition of decorated manuscripts and printed documents noted for its use of bold colors and whimsical motifs. This publication makes a landmark contribution to the study of Pennsylvania German fraktur, and offers the most comprehensive study of the topic in over 50 years. The featured objects, most of which have never been published, accompany significant new information about the artists who made these works and the people who owned them. An introductory essay sets the renowned Johnson Collection within the context of collecting and scholarship on Pennsylvania German folk art and then highlights major new discoveries, including connections between fraktur and related examples of furniture and prints. An interview with the collectors offers valuable insights into the formation of this special group of objects, which includes birth and baptismal certificates, bookplates, religious texts, writing samples, house blessings, cutworks, and printed broadsides. The splendid color illustrations reveal schools of artistic and regional influence, giving a nuanced understanding of how artists took inspiration from one another and how designs were transferred to new locations. Detailed catalogue entries include extensive information about each piece as well as complete translations.
Published in association with the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Exhibition Schedule:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
(02/01/15-04/26/15)
Among the most beloved forms of American folk art, fraktur is a Germanic tradition of decorated manuscripts and printed documents noted for its use of bold colors and whimsical motifs. This publication makes a landmark contribution to the study of Pennsylvania German fraktur, and offers the most comprehensive study of the topic in over 50 years. The featured objects, most of which have never been published, accompany significant new information about the artists who made these works and the people who owned them. An introductory essay sets the renowned Johnson Collection within the context of collecting and scholarship on Pennsylvania German folk art and then highlights major new discoveries, including connections between fraktur and related examples of furniture and prints. An interview with the collectors offers valuable insights into the formation of this special group of objects, which includes birth and baptismal certificates, bookplates, religious texts, writing samples, house blessings, cutworks, and printed broadsides. The splendid color illustrations reveal schools of artistic and regional influence, giving a nuanced understanding of how artists took inspiration from one another and how designs were transferred to new locations. Detailed catalogue entries include extensive information about each piece as well as complete translations.
Published in association with the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Exhibition Schedule:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
(02/01/15-04/26/15)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
567 color illus.
Dimensions
Height: 305 mm
Width: 254 mm
Weight
2640 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-21052-1 (9780300210521)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Lisa Minardi is an assistant curator at Winterthur Museum and a specialist in Pennsylvania German art and culture.