Charles Umlauf Mother And Child Analysis

What makes an object religious? While imagery of the cross or the bright aura of the halo clearly and unquestionably indicate to the audience of the piece’s religious connection, an object can also obtain religious connotation through other means. In the case of the bronze statue Mother and Child by Charles Umlauf, it is connected to the divine through artist’s background, its medium, and most importantly, the stylistic resonance between the mother and Virgin Mary. Charles Umlauf’s sculptures range “in style from realistic and abstract expressionism to lyrical abstraction” (Charles). This is demonstrated in Mother and Child as the status solidifies the abstract concept of the bond between mother and child. This parallels with the Christian belief that Mary is the

In the statue, the mother is depicted as looking up into the sky while comforting her child. Her gaze in turn directs the viewer toward heaven, from which Christ has descended. Her overall posture is uptight, which references the pure qualities of Mary. She is also depicted as wearing a dress, which reinforces the traditional image of a mother figure. Umlauf’s statue often brings attention to their hands, and Mother and Child is no exception. While her right hand is out of sight, her left hand is placed on the child’s back, comforting him. This detail again resonates with the classic Mother figure and deepens its connection to Mary. Moreover, her hairstyle resembles a head scarf, which is often seen in depictions of Mary. There are many ways an object can reveal themselves to possess sacred qualities. While some place emphasis on the glory of the God, others such as Mother and Child portray an abstract concept that resonates with the divine. However, ultimately they all serve to bring man closer to God by bringing words on a page to life and allow us to connect to the divine through visual