Family Pledge

19th century

Joseph E. Baker

Associated Names
Joseph E. Baker

Artist, American, 1837 - 1914

This is a drawing of a temperance pledge certificate. The image depicts a "Family Pledge" against the use of intoxicating liquors. The drawing is intricately detailed, featuring symbolic imagery and text banners supporting the message of temperance. Cherubic figures hold a banner at the top that reads, "From this fountain of temperance flow many blessings." Vignettes in the drawing depict a nurturing family scene, with themes of "Industry & Contentment," "Health & Happiness," "Honesty, Frugality," and "Filial-Piety & Religion." The central portion of the drawing includes designated text spaces for the names of "Parents" and "Children." The illustration combines Victorian-era aesthetics with moral teachings to convey its message.

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Bessie Potter Vonnoh Keyes, New York; Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1955; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1983

  • Simmons, Linda Crocker and with the assistance of Adrianne J. Humphrey, et al. American Drawings, Watercolors, Pastels, and Collages in the Collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Washington, DC: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1983: p. 97, no. 629.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: J.E. Baker del
text in graphite: FROM THE FOUNTAINS OF TEMPERANCE FLOW MANY BLESSINGS / HOLY BIBLE / STUDY GODS WORD FOR SALVATI[ON] / INDUSTRY & CONTENTMENT / HEALTH HAPPINESS / HONESTY, FRUGALITY / PLEDGE / FILIAL-PIETY. RELIGION / BY FAMILY Union blessings come / Then fill the goblet to the brim, / With water pure and bright, / With water free and sparkling clear, / It gives a better light. / Then ruby wine or rich champagne / And comes from Heaven above / It is the beverage made by Him / Who rules by deeds of love. / FAMILY PLEDGE / Believing that the use of Intoxicating Liquors as a / beverage, destroys health, promotes vice & is Contrary to the Word of God we hereby agree / that by God's assistance we will abstain from the use of all INTOXICATING LIQUORS as a / beverage & from the use of TOBACCO & PROFANE LANGUAGE & will not manufacture or traffic in LIQUORS / or TOBACCO & that we will discontenance such manufacture, traffic & use by others. / PARENTS. / CHILDREN. / CHILDREN.

Wikidata ID

Q64591140

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