Charles Julius Umlauf (1911–1994) was born on a farm outside of South Haven, Michigan, in 1911, the sixth of eight children born to French and German immigrant parents. When he was eight, the family moved to Chicago. Umlauf's fourth grade teacher soon recognized his artistic talents and took him to the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was given summer scholarships. After high school, Umlauf studied at both the Art Institute and the Chicago School of Sculpture. In 1937 he married Angeline Allen, a fellow student at the Art Institute.

In 1941 the couple moved to Austin, Texas, where Charles had agreed to join the new art department at The University of Texas at Austin as a sculpture instructor. He taught there for 40 years, retiring as professor emeritus in 1981.

Umlauf's sculptures range from hauntingly expressionistic to detailed neoclassical realism to lyrical abstractions. His materials are equally diverse, from the exotic woods and terra cotta or cast stone of his earlier pieces, to the rich bronzes and alabasters or luminous marbles of his prime. With equal facility, Umlauf sculpted family groupings (particularly mothers and children), whimsical small animals, religious and mythological figures, and sensuous nudes.

During his career, Umlauf was awarded nearly every professional award offered, including both a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Ford Foundation Grant. In Texas he was honored in 1985 by the Houston Art League as Texas Artist of the Year and in 1993 by the City of San Antonio as Alcalde.

Umlauf's work can be seen in public collections and museums across the United States, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In Texas there are more Umlauf sculptures in public placements than there are works by any other single sculptor.

In 1985 Charles and Angeline Umlauf gave their home, studio, and more than 200 pieces of Umlauf sculpture to the city of Austin. In 1991 a new museum was built with private funds to house the majority of the collection. These monies, raised under the leadership of Austin's Roberta Crenshaw, included a generous matching challenge grant from The Meadows Foundation of Dallas. The Friends of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden fund, manage, and maintain the museum, while the City's Parks and Recreation Department maintains the xeriscape garden.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is open Wednesday–Friday 10–4:30, and Saturday and Sunday 1–4:30. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $1 to $3.50. The museum is located at 605 Robert E. Lee Road. For further information, please call 512-445-5582 or visit www.umlaufsculpture.org.

Thanks to Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum for the essay and photo.