War Mother

• date: 1939
• material: Cast Stone

Umlauf’s reaction to Nazi invasion of Poland. Very expressive emotional piece typical of Umlauf’s work in the 1940′s. Large hands denote strength. Umlauf received both accolades and criticism over the piece, which alerted the University of Texas’ new art department to his work. He was invited to teach there in 1941. Made of cast stone – a mixture of marble aggregate and statuary cement poured into a mold (less expensive than bronze). Also in collections of the Witte and the McNay Museums, San Antonio, IBM in New York City; Santa Barbara Museum, CA.

Photo by Taran Nudurumati