Old Women in Prayer (The Refugee)
Object NameSculpture
Artist / Maker
Christian Petersen
(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 viewCollections
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
Object Name: Sculpture, fountain and pool
Christian Petersen
1941
Object number: U88.69
Object Name: Drawing
Christian Petersen
c. 1938
Object number: UM99.158
