Baptismal Certificate c. 1936

This Baptismal Certificate was made by Ralph Atkinson, who lived between 1855 and 1995. It's such a loving and handmade creation. I can imagine Atkinson carefully applying each stroke of watercolor to the page, building up these bold, graphic motifs: flowers, ribbons, and bits of text float around the central inscription. There’s a real sense of balance here, the way the composition is structured with symmetry. The color palette is so distinctive: reds, yellows, blues, and greens give the certificate a vibrant feel. The lines are crisp, precise. You can see in these motifs something of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art tradition, known for its decorative and symbolic designs. For me, this piece is a reminder of how art can be both personal and communal, connecting us to cultural histories and traditions.