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Old Women in Prayer (The Refugee)
Old Women in Prayer (The Refugee)
Old Women in Prayer (The Refugee)

Old Women in Prayer (The Refugee)

Object NameSculpture
Artist / Maker (Danish - American, 1885 - 1961)
Date1940
MediumBedford limestone
Dimensions28 x 17 x 18 in. (71.1 x 43.2 x 45.7 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LinePurchased with funds provided by the Iowa State Library. In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object numberU86.521
Status
On view
Label TextOld Woman in Prayer/The Refugee, by Christian Petersen, was sculpted from bedford stone. This sculpture is the artist's memorial to civilian refugees and concentration camp victims during the global second World War-and in all wars in the history of man's inhumanity to man. According to interviews conducted by his first biographer with Petersen’s wife, Charlotte, this sculpture expresses the terror of ordinary -- and defenseless -- people who find themselves in the midst of conflict. She recalled, “Christian was deeply moved by the barbarism of the pogroms and the bombings. We were stunned by the tragic suffering of innocent civilians during World War II -- he brooded about it.” The woman's hands are placed together is prayer while she looks toward the heavens for an answer.
Published ReferencesThe Iowa Homemaker: Vol. 40, Issue 2, May 1960.
Locations
  • (not entered)  Iowa State University, Parks Library
Conversations
Object Name: Sculpture grouping
Christian Petersen
1947-1953
Object number: U88.63
Library Boy and Girl
Object Name: Sculptures
Christian Petersen
1944
Object number: U88.67ab
Fountain of the Four Seasons
Object Name: Sculpture, fountain and pool
Christian Petersen
1941
Object number: U88.69
Kentucky Trip: Two women in prayer
Object Name: Drawing
Christian Petersen
c. 1938
Object number: UM99.158
Abraham Lincoln
Object Name: Portrait Bust
Christian Petersen
1950
Object number: U82.133
Madonna of the Prairie
Object Name: Sculpture
Christian Petersen
1940
Object number: U86.590
Agronomy Mural
Object Name: Mural
Christian Petersen
1951
Object number: U99.302
Sculptural model for Spring Maiden's head
Object Name: Sculpture
2024
Object number: U2024.108
Handkiss Group
Object Name: Figurine
Johann Joachim Kandler
19th century
Object number: 2.6.52
Figurine
Object Name: Figurine
Frankenthal Porcelain Factory
Late 19th century
Object number: 2.6.78
Hysteria
Object Name: Sculpture
John Vincent Bloom
1980
Object number: UM2005.298ab
Tintype
Object Name: Tintype
Object number: 74.16.143f