Johanna Schumann, Wife of Carl II

 Johanna Schumann (1904-1989) was the wife of Carl II (1898-1975).  While Carl II was busy running his factory, Johanna (called Hanna) was apparently very busy using her own artistic talents.  An unexpected side story to my Schumann research project started with an e-mail I received back in February 2010.  Suzanne Haynes in Mississippi was doing research on her aunt’s Schumann china and wanted to know which Mrs. Schumann was at the factory during the U.S. Zone years of 1945-49.  The answer was Johanna, wife of Carl II.   Suzanne’s aunt, Dean Yarbrough, was a close personal friend of Mrs. Schumann.  As evidence of their friendship, Mrs. Schumann gave Dean a complete set of china that she personalized in gold with Dean's initials.

The china was marked with the above U.S. Zone Mark, 1945-49.

The story does not end with the china.  Mrs. Schumann also painted an oil landscape just for her friend.  She signed the painting Hanna Schumann.  “Who was Hanna?”  Yes, it was Johanna Schumann, wife of Carl II (the Carl in charge of the factory through those years of the war and after), who was the artist and friend of  Suzanne’s aunt, Dean Yarbrough,

 Here is a picture of that original oil painting.

She signed this particular work as Hanna Schumann**

I went to an art database and found that one of her paintings dated 1945 was auctioned in Germany in August of 2009.  It sold for the equivalent of $3,444 US dollars.  That painting was signed H. Schumann, which tells us that she didn't always sign her work the same way.  The description in the catalog was in German, but I could see that the Carl Schumann Porcelain Factory was mentioned.  I assume it was acknowledging that she was married to Carl II.  She lived 1904-1989 and was born in Arzberg, Germany, the same city as the factory and no doubt the way she met and married Carl II.

Needless to say, Hanna Schumann was a very talented artist.

She was also a very good friend, as demonstrated by her gifts to Suzanne’s aunt, Dean Yarbrough. 

Suzanne has donated the monogrammed dishes in memory and honor of her Aunt Dean to The Merrehope Historical Mansion Foundation in Meridian, Mississippi, where she (Dean) worked for many years in restoration, as well as serving as a hostess and tour guide.  She was also a member of one of the founding groups for the Merrehope Mansion.  

It is my wish, as well as Suzanne’s, that this story and posting will serve as an additional honor to

 Dean Yarbrough and Johanna Schumann and their great friendship.

 Thank you, Suzanne, for allowing me to share this very special story.

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**I have since heard from another viewer who at the age of 7 in 1962 was with his parents in Bavaria during the time his father was stationed there.  During one of their family outings, he remembers his mother purchasing an oil painting that is now in his possession.  It is just signed Schumann.  While it is not certain it is the work of  Hannah Schumann, it is highly likely, knowing that she didn't always sign the same way.