Pa. German Illustrated Fractur c. 1939

Jerry Guinta made this fraktur, or decorated folk art, some time between 1855 and 1995, the years of his birth and death. Fraktur is Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, and this piece exemplifies the ways that religious expression was interwoven with everyday life in that community. This piece contains religious quotations and symbols. Above the biblical verse are a pair of eyes, and below, a flaming heart. This tells us something about the visual culture of this community, the symbolic language through which they interpreted the world. The verse warns against judging by appearances because God sees into the heart. This emphasis on inner faith over outward show was a common theme in Protestant art of the period. Historians consult a wide range of sources to understand the culture and social life of the Pennsylvania Dutch, including their religious writings, folk art, and material culture. By studying these sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of their values, beliefs, and way of life.