Name/Title
Print, Christmas: 1958 Wert Family Christmas Greeting.Description
The 1958 Wert family Christmas greeting mailed to family, friends and other people of note. The two screen, two color silkscreen print on off-white linen features a shortened version of Luke 2:17 from the King James Bible, “And she brought forth her first born Son [and wrapped him in swaddling clothes] and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn” (section in brackets omitted from this design).
Though the print is primarily a beautifully composed type treatment, there are several clever uses of symbolism at play. At top right is a sheep, symbolic of the Lamb of God, but also of the shepherds that found their way to the Holy Family and the new king by following the Christmas star, which appears in the upper left corner.
The word “son”, which is capitalized in the Bible passage, is instead emphasized by being cradled within a low “u” shape, symbolic of the manger Jesus rested within. The star appearing between “a” and “manger” possibly emphasizes the holiness of Jesus’ first resting place.
The Country Prints company version of this Christmas greeting has not been documented but would differ only in signature, which would likely read, “anno 1958 from robert darr wert and the country printers”.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
1958Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaInscription/Signature/Marks
“wert by hand”, lower left margin, and “robert, margaret, sara darr and jerry, anno 1958”, lower margin.Dimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
27 inWidth
7 inDimension Notes
Black cardboard hanging bar: 1” x 7”
Black hanging cord: 7” +/-Material
Bleached Linen, Textile Ink, Cardboard, Cord, GlueColor
Barn Red, Dark Yellow Ochre
