Extraordinary Umlauf

This large and striking signed lithograph is by Charles Umlauf (1911-1994), the renown American artist and sculptor and University of Texas at Austin art professor. Although best known for his sculptural works, which grace museums, churches, institutions, and private collections throughout the world, Umlauf did create a limited number of works on paper as well during his long artistic career. 

Born Karl Umlauf to a German immigrant family on a Michigan farm, his first name was Americanized to "Charles" in response to anti-German sentiment during WWI. In 1918, the family moved to Chicago. At the age of eleven, Charles began attending weekend classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. His talented was quickly recognized and he received a scholarship to continue his studies. Umlauf created several sculptures while employed by the WPA Federal Art Project during the Great Depression. A 1939 work in cast stone entitled "War Mother" resulted in Umlauf being offered a position as Professor of Life Drawing and Sculpture at the Art Department at the University of Texas. Umlauf taught the the University for 40 years, retiring as as Professor Emeritus in 1981. In 1985, the Umlaufs gifted the City of Austin with their Austin home, his studio, and 168 sculptures, which were the foundation of the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

428-1299

 

Beautiful Birds

This lovely hand-colored lithograph is by noted English naturalist, ornithologist, and artist John Gould (1804-1881). Gould was the first curator of the Museum of the Zoological Society of London. As curator, he conferred with the country's  leading naturalists and viewed new collections of birds donated to the society. In 1830 he published his first volume on birds, A Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains. Over the next fifty years, Gould, his wife, and a team of artists traveled around Asia, the East Indies, and Australia, documenting the native birds and animals. This lithograph, picturing a pair of beautiful honeyeaters (Melithreptus Loetior), is from Gould's final work, Birds of New Guinea and the Adjacent Papuan Islands, Including Many New Species Recently Discovered in Australia.

Gould's images are renown for their rich colors, animated composition, and naturalistic backgrounds.

A close inspection reveals many delightful details, such as tiny insects feeding on the flowers.

 All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

14337-627

Authentic Alvar

This lusciously-colored lithograph is by Spanish artist Sunol Alvar, considered one of the last living Modernists. Alvar is a master of many artistic mediums, including painting, lithography, and sculpture. 

Born in 1935 in a Catalan fishing village on the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain, he attended the Sant Jordi Art School in Barcelona at age 16.  Two years later, Alvar was awarded a summer scholarship that allowed him to travel and paint throughout Spain. He returned home to compete in the Young Painter’s Prize sponsored by the City of Barcelona.  His painting won the Grand Prize and was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona for its permanent collection.

Beginning in 1957, Alvar began to exhibit his works with great acclaim and success. After winning the Grand Prize in the annual painting competition at the French Institute of Barcelona, Alvar traveled to Paris in 1959 to study and paint. He briefly returned to Barcelona in 1960 to marry his childhood sweetheart, but couple then moved back to Paris. Alvar produced his first lithographs in 1963 and would focus on this medium through 1990. In 1970, he and his family moved back to Spain. At the age of 70, Alvar returned to painting.  He has been commissioned to design a number of public art installations, including a mural in a suburb of Barcelona and a sculpture of cellist Pablo Casals in Paris. Alvar has been exhibited throughout the world and his works are in the collections of over 40 museums.   

The lithograph is both signed and numbered.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

4061-518