Umlauf sculptures and paintings up for auction

Driving the news: Austin Auction Gallery will feature Umlauf's work in its estate and special collections auction from March 24 to 27, along with hand-carved antiques from Italy and France, midcentury and modern furniture, and other fine art.

Zoom in: Umlauf's bronze sculptures up for auction include "The Kiss," "Eve With Apple," "Embrace" and "Ballerina." Three paintings by the late artist are also available.

• Starting bids for the pieces range from $1,500 to $8,000.

What they're saying: Chris Featherston, an auctioneer and owner at Austin Auction Gallery, tells Axios he has noticed a surge in interest for Texas modernist art as baby boomers downsize and sell their collections.

• The gallery has previously auctioned off Umlauf's work. In a January auction, his piece "Saint Michael and Lucifer" sold for $28,000, a record price for an Umlauf bronze at auction.
• "That gave us even more credibility with the market," Featherston says, adding that it caught the attention of Umlauf collectors.

Between the lines: Most of the Umlauf art in the auction comes from the private collection of John and Rebecca Kirkland, who purchased the work directly from Umlauf. A portion of proceeds from the auction will go to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden.

Yes, but: You don't have to spend thousands to see Umlauf's work in Austin.

• The sculpture garden is open from 10am-4pm Tuesday through Friday and 11am-4pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults.
• Plus, Umlauf's annual garden party returns April 17, featuring vendors, music and auctions.