Birth Certificate c. 1940

Charles Roadman created this "Birth Certificate" using watercolor on paper. Roadman's decorative folk art, what we might call Fraktur, provides a unique window into Pennsylvania German culture. Made without a specific date, this piece is full of visual codes that reference cultural and historical associations. Pennsylvania German Fraktur, often associated with birth and baptismal certificates, flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries in rural communities. Roadman's work reflects the strong religious beliefs and traditions of these communities, blending German script with vibrant folk motifs like hearts and flowers. The text is a German baptismal verse. Roadman's Fraktur serves as a cultural record. Understanding Roadman's art requires looking at the social history of these communities through documents, church records, and family histories. Art like this demonstrates how cultural identity is affirmed through the creation of art that is contingent on social and institutional contexts.