M.I. Hummel

In the early 20th century, a German nun known as Maria Innocentia Hummel spent a great deal of her spare time painting and drawing pictures of children. Her art became well known throughout Germany as these pictures were made into a series of popular postcards. She became well-known for capturing the joy, innocence, and wonder of children. Beginning in 1935 the Goebel Company got permission to make a series of porcelain figurines based on Sister Hummel's work. These figurines became an insant success, and have become world-famous over the years.

My grandmother is from Germany, and in fact grew up around the time that Hummel's art would have first been circulated. Some years later, after moving to America, my grandmother saw an advertisement to join a Hummel Collector's Club in a magazine. I suppose that she enjoyed the artwork captured in these figures, since she joined the club as one of its charter members.

Over the years she has collected what seems to be a large number of Hummel figurines. She has recently bestowed several upon the younger generations of the family as treasured gifts. The above photo is of two such figurines that Angela and I have received from her. We've actually been able to work them into our decor rather well, but with a baby coming, their present location might be too precarious. At any rate, we certainly enjoy the figurines, especially since they remind us of my grandmother.