Spirit of Flight, (sculpture) - Denison, TX
N 33° 46.379 W 096° 33.493
14S E 726118 N 3739664
A maquette-sized version of Charles Umlauf's "Spirit of Flight" stands at the center of a plot in Fairview Cemetery where several members of the Munson family rest in peace. It is dedicated to William Benjamin Munson, Jr.
Waymark Code: WM12DJ7
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 05/05/2020
Views: 0
This is a much smaller and less-known version of "Spirit of Flight" that Charles Umlauf sculpted for Dallas's Love Field. It is probably made of bronze, approximately 5'x3'x1' on a red granite base that is 3'x2'x1'. It depicts a man with his arms and head raised to the sky, with his wings extended to symbolize his victory over flight. "C. Umlauf" is on the rear of the base, while there is an illegible foundry insignia on the proper right side. A bronze plaque is affixed to the front of the base, and it reads:
Spirit of Flight
by
Charles Umlauf
In Memory of
William Benjamin Munson, Jr.
by
Betsy Kerr Munson
1969
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Betsy Kerr Munson was Mr. Munson's wife, and she joined him in 1970, just a year after this statue was placed. They rest together on one side of the statue. Mr. Munson had a famous uncle, T.V. Munson, best known as the "Grape Man of Texas". T.V. Munson was a viticulturalist whose work saved European grape crops from devastation by disease and insects, and he is buried with other Munson family members across the cemetery.
TITLE: Spirit of Flight, (sculpture)
ARTIST(S): Charles Umlauf
DATE: 1959
MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze (?); Base: granite
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS TX000490
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Fairview Cemetery, 1501 North TX 91, Denison, TX 75020
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
The Smithsonian's listing is unsure as to whether or not the statue is bronze. My observation can't confirm or deny either way, but it looks and feels like it is. There is a fairly solid green patina, and while the birds like the statue quite a bit, it is as described, in very good condition. The Smithsonian's listing notes "1959" as the date, while the plaque on the front says "1969". It's certainly possible that this statue was created in 1959 and then was in someone's possession until being placed here in 1969.
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