The Paths to Heaven
and Hell
Pennsylvania German
Das neue Jerusalem
Fraktur woodcut with watercolor,
19th century
Prints & Photographs Division
LC-USZ62-58622, LC-USZC4-4570
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The term "fraktur" refers to manuscripts and printed
folk art produced by the largely German and Swiss-born residents
of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Fraktur took the form of baptismal or
wedding certificates, memorial remembrances, academic rewards,
illuminated alphabets, mottoes, hymns, as well as biblical excerpts
and served to preserve the language, culture, and customs of the
people of such enclaves as Bethlehem, Ephrata, Easton, and Lancaster.
This woodcut depicts the diverse paths toward heaven
and hell and good and evil, in an effort to warn and instruct
members of the community.
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