Pa. German Birth Certificate c. 1936

Myra Newswanger's "Pa. German Birth Certificate" from c. 1936 is a vibrant example of Pennsylvania Dutch Fraktur, a folk art tradition of decorative lettering and illustrations. The artwork documents the birth of Johannes Schnabele and is filled with colorful flowers, birds, and a cherub, all meticulously rendered in ink and watercolor. This intricate design is characteristic of Fraktur, reflecting the artistic expression of Pennsylvania Dutch communities in the 18th and 19th centuries.