The Molten Iron Flows, 1956

Ruth Baumgarte was closely associated with the Eisenwerke Baumgarte ironworks in the 1950s and 1960s, and that association extended beyond the artistic design of the annual calendar images. In 1952, she was actively involved in the laying of the foundation stone for a new foundry in Bielefeld-Brackwede-Süd. She also advised the company on artistic aspects of the new build and, on 26 September 1953, she officially "inaugurated" the two new cupola furnaces – the central feature of the new foundry. Cupola furnaces smelt pig iron and scrap and to produce cast iron.

This page from the company calendar shows the molten iron being transferred to casting moulds. Four workers in the large workshop are pouring the molten iron from the converter into the casting moulds, a task that requires immense concentration and precision. The tension of the job is clearly expressed through the central image of the molten iron flowing into the mould with sparks flying and clouds of smoke. In this sepia and Indian ink drawing, Baumgarte skilfully picks out the brightness and shade in the cone of light created by the molten iron. She brings the magical moment authentically to life.