“The difficulty of our time is a difficulty of the human spirit.”– Albert Schweitzer, 1875 – 1965. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Rudolf Hoflehner, "The difficulty of our time is a difficulty of the human spirit."-- Albert Schweitzer, 1875-1965. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., ca. 1971, bronze on wood and marble base, 38 ¹⁄₈ x 15 x 20 in. (96.9 x 38.1 x 50.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.120

Artwork Details

Title: “The difficulty of our time is a difficulty of the human spirit.”– Albert Schweitzer, 1875 – 1965. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist: Rudolf Hoflehner
Date: ca. 1971
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
/
Luce Foundation Center
/
4th Floor
/
50A
Dimensions: 38 ¹⁄₈ x 15 x 20 in. (96.9 x 38.1 x 50.8 cm.)
Credit Line: Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums: marble
bronze
wood
Mediums Description: bronze on wood and marble base
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Abstract — geometric
Figure male — full length
Portrait male — Schweitzer, Albert
Object Number: 1984.124.120
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.120

Artwork Description

This sculpture was used to illustrate a quote by Albert Schweitzer for the Container Corporation of America. Rudolf Hoflehner created many pieces inspired by the human figure and often welded large spheres and wedges on top of spindles to suggest exaggerated male and female forms. The heavy materials and dramatic structure express the political and psychic conflicts of the twentieth century.