These two bronzes by Charles Umlauf are installed on the tombstone of former Texas Governor Allan Shivers (Spirit of Flight) and his wife Marialice (Maria Regina) in the Republic Hill section of the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.
Allan Shivers served two terms as Governor, from 1949-1957.
Their tombstone reads as follows:
"[Spirit of Flight]
[Seal of the State of Texas]
Allan Shivers
October 5, 1907
January 14, 1985
The University of Texas
BA, 1931 LLB 1933
State Senator 1935 - 1947
U. S. Army 1943 - 1945
Lieutenant Governor
of Texas 1947 - 1949
Governor of Texas
1949 - 1957
President and Chairman
of Chamber of Commerce
of the
United States 1967 - 1969
Board of Regents,
University of Texas
System 1973 - 1979
and Chairman 1975 - 1979
[Maria Regina]
Marialice Shary
Shivers
January 2, 1910
September 29, 1996
Wife Mother
First Lady of Texas
Founder Seton
Development Board
Pan Am University Regent
1965 - 1978
Pan Am University
Board of Regents Chmn.
1974 - 1975
"Look forward, therefore to my words, yearn
for them and they will instruct you.
Fame is vapor
Popularity an accident
Riches take wings
Those who cheer today
Curse tomorrow
One thing only endures
Character
[On the base]
Wisdom is bright and does not grow dim.
By those who love her she is readily seen
and found by those who look for her."
Wisdom 6: 12-13"
The Spirit of Flight statue is a winged mostly-nude very muscular male figure whose hips and thighs are horizontally draped in fabric. His wings are extended, and he looks upwards, to the sky. His face is turned to the right.
The Maria Regina statue is looking downwards, with her hands extended at her sides and her palms open. She seems to be standing on the top of a mountain looking down on the earth and its people below -- perhaps she is looking down from heaven. She wears a long sheath garment with flat shoes. She has a short cloak at her shoulders. She wears a headpiece, which allows her long hair to fall loosely around her face and shoulders.
From the SIRIS database: (
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"Spirit of Flight and Maria Regina, (sculpture)
Allan Shivers Memorial, (sculpture)
SCULPTOR: Umlauf, Charles 1911-1994
FOUNDER: Vignali & Tommasi Fonderia d'Arte
MEDIUM: Each sculpture: bronze; Base: granite
TYPE: Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
OWNER/LOCATION:
Administered by State of Texas General Services Commission 1711 San Jacinto Street Austin Texas 78701; Located Texas State Cemetery 9th & Comal Streets Austin Texas
DATE: Spirit of Flight: 1959. Maria Regina: 1985
NOTES: Save Outdoor Sculpture, Texas, Austin survey, 1994.
SUMMARY:
A memorial consisting of two sculptures mounted side-by-side on individual bases, set together on a low, rectangular stepped base. "Spirit of Flight" depicts a winged male figure, perhaps Icarus or angel. He stands perched on his toes, with wings high above his head. He is muscular and nude with the exception of drapery across his thighs. His head is turned skyward and slightly to the proper right. The sculpture is mounted on a tall, tapered shaft with the Texas state seal on the front.
Next to the Spirit of Flight statue stands Maria Regina, with short cloak pinned at the breast. She wears a crown headpiece which holds her and flat-soled shoes. Her arms are at her side, with palms open."